Metallacarboranes in Medicinal Chemistry: Current Advances and Future Perspectives

Metallacarboranes, exemplified by cobalt bis(dicarbollide) ([COSAN]^-), have excelled their historical metallocene analogue label to become promising in drug design, medical studies, and fundamental biological research. Serving as a unique platform for conjugation with biomolecules, they also constitute an auspicious building block for biologically active derivatives and a carrier for cellular transport of membrane-impermeable cargos. Modified [COSAN]^- exhibits specific antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer actions showing promise for preclinical trials. Contributing to the ongoing development in medicinal chemistry, metallacarboranes offer desirable physicochemical properties and low acute toxicity. This article presents a critical look at metallacarboranes in the context of their application in medicinal chemistry, emphasizing [COSAN]^- as a potential game-changer in drug design and biomedical sciences. As medicinal chemistry seeks innovative building blocks, metallacarboranes emerge as an important novelty with versatile solutions and promising implications.