Isolation, Characterization and Antitumour Propirties of the 1,2-Popylenediaminetetraacetate trans-Diaqua-Copper (II)

A trans-diaquacomplex formed by copper(II) sulphate and the sequestering polyamminopolycarboxylic ligand 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) has been isolated and characterized by chemical analysis, titrimetry, FT-IR and electronic spectroscopy, Potentiometric and electronic measurements identified the ligand as tetradentate, two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms being bonded to the Cu(II) in planar positions. This octahedral monomeric soluble compound, is an unusual example of a copper (II) substance showing significant in vitro antitumour activity against the human ovarian tumour cells TG (ID(50) = 2.29 muM at 48 h) and important in vivo antitumour activity against solid Sarcoma 180 with complete regression of the tumour at a dose of 12.5 mg/Kg body weight.