Synthesis, characterization and anti-proliferative activity of propylene linked bis-benzimidazolium salts and their respective dinuclear Silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A new series of propylene linked bis-benzimidazolium salts, 1-4 were reacted with Ag2O to facilitate the formation of their respective dinuclear Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes, 5e8 respectively. All compounds were fully characterized by elemental analyses, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The molecular structures of compounds 1 and 6 were elucidated through single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Both salts and complexes were tested for anti-cancer potential against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line. The IC50 values are in the range of 7 +/- 1-18 +/- 3 mM show that the complexes 5e8 possess moderate antiproliferative effect while their respective salts 1-4 are found to be inactive against MCF-7 cell line. (C) 2017 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.