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Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

Different monodentate and polydentate ligands are used as complexing agents in complexometric titration reactions. The formation of complexes by mono- and bidentate ligands involves two or more intermediate steps, limiting their use as complexing agents. In comparison, polydentate ligands can form complexes with metal ions in a single-step process, facilitating sharper end points. This means polydentate ligands, such as amino carboxylic acid derivatives, are most commonly employed in...

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.

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Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Published on: November 10, 2013

Carbohydrate-metal complexes and their potential as anticancer agents.

Christian G Hartinger¹, Alexey A Nazarov, Shaheen M Ashraf

¹University of Vienna, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Waehringer Str. 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. christian.hartinger@univie.ac.at

Current Medicinal Chemistry

|October 16, 2008

Summary

Platinum-based chemotherapy is vital for treating cancers but has side effects. Carbohydrate-metal complexes offer a targeted approach to improve anticancer drug efficacy and reduce toxicity.

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Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

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Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

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Area of Science:

Medicinal Chemistry
Drug Design
Nanotechnology

Background:

Platinum complexes are crucial in cancer chemotherapy, despite limitations like severe side effects and limited tumor spectrum.
Drug design strategies are evolving to enhance anticancer properties, including targeted delivery and modified metal centers.
Carbohydrate-metal complexes represent a targeted approach, leveraging sugar biochemistry for drug transport and accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review metal complexes featuring carbohydrate ligands.
To describe the role of carbohydrate carriers in the antineoplastic activity of these compounds.
To highlight the potential of carbohydrate-metal complexes in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

Literature review of carbohydrate-metal complexes in medicinal applications.
Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies on antineoplastic activity.
Evaluation of the impact of carbohydrate ligands on drug properties.

Main Results:

Carbohydrate ligands offer advantages like biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and water solubility.
Carbohydrate-metal complexes have shown promise in various medicinal applications, including anticancer activity.
The specific carbohydrate carrier influences the antineoplastic efficacy of the metal complex.

Conclusions:

Carbohydrate-metal complexes are a promising strategy for developing targeted anticancer drugs.
The biocompatibility and targeting capabilities of carbohydrates enhance the therapeutic potential of platinum-based agents.
Further research into carbohydrate-metal complexes could lead to more effective and safer cancer treatments.