Synthesis, Characterization, and Antiproliferative Activities of Novel Ferrocenophanic Suberamides against Human Triple-Negative MDA-MB-231 and Hormone-Dependent MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new family of organometallic suberamides with strong antiproliferative activities against triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.84 to 0.94 mu M. Similar studies on hormone-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells were also carried out, revealing the positive effect of the ferrocenophanic moiety on disubstituted ferrocene-1,1'-diyl derivatives versus their monosubstituted ferrocenyl analogues. Cyclic voltammetry analysis showed no substantial differences between ferrocenic and ferrocenophanic suberamides in the absence or presence of a base. However, similar studies performed on related compounds strongly suggest that ferrocenophanic and ferrocenic complexes do not undergo the same redox activation patterns. The electrochemical behavior seems to be in agreement with the antiproliferative activity of this type of organometallic compound.