Synthesis, structure and antitumor activities of a new macrocyclic ligand with four neutral pendent groups: 1,4,7,10-tetrakisbenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (L) and its Co, Ni and Cu complexes

A new macrocyclic ligand, 1,4,7,10-tetrakisbenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (L) and its three new divalent metal complexes of general formula: M(NO3)2(L)nH2O [M = Co(1), Ni(2), n = 0; M = Cu(3), n = 1.5] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r., EI mass spectra and molecular conductance. Complex (2) has been characterized by X-ray diffraction. In complex (2), the central NiIIatom coordinatively bonds to four nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and two oxygen atoms of nitrate anion, to form a distorted octahedron. X-ray diffraction indicated that the bonds Ni–N(1), Ni–N(2), Ni–N(3) and Ni–N(4) are of almost equal length, i.e. 2.11(1), 2.12(1), 2.10(1) and 2.17(1)Å, respectively. Bond lengths of Ni–O(1) and Ni– O(2) are 2.11(1) and 2.10(1)Å. Preliminary pharmacological tests show that these complexes have high antitumor activity towards HL-60 tumor cell lines.