Optimizing the electronic properties of photoactive anticancer oxypyridine-bridged dirhodium(II,II) complexes

A series of partial paddlewheel dirhodium compounds of general formula cis-[Rh2(xhp)2(CH3CN)n][BF4]2 (n = 5 or 6) were synthesized {xhp = 6-R-2-oxypyridine ligands, R = -CH3 (mhp), -F (fhp), -Cl (chp)}. X-ray crystallographic studies indicate the aforementioned compounds contain two cis-oriented bridging xhp ligands, with the remaining sites being coordinated by CH3CN ligands. The lability of the equatorial (eq) CH3CN groups in these complexes in solution is in the order -CH3 > -Cl > -F, in accord with the more electron rich bridging ligands exerting a stronger trans effect. In the case of cis-[Rh2(chp)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5), light irradiation enhances the production of the aqua adducts in which eq CH3CN is replaced by H2O molecules, whereas the formation of the aqua species for cis-[Rh2(fhp)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (7) is only slightly increased by irradiation. The potential of both compounds to act as photochemotherapy agents was evaluated. A 16.4-fold increase in cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line was observed for 5 upon 30 min irradiation (λ > 400 nm), in contrast to the nontoxic compound 7, which is in accord with the results from the photochemistry. Furthermore, the cell death mechanism induced by 5 was determined to be apoptosis. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of tuning the ligand field around the dimetal center to maximize the photoreactivity and achieve the best photodynamic action.