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Related Concept Videos

Extraction: Advanced Methods00:56

Extraction: Advanced Methods

Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is formed in...
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

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: The Chelate Effect01:19

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...
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes01:09

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...
EDTA: Chemistry and Properties01:22

EDTA: Chemistry and Properties

Polydentate ligands are most widely used in complexometric titrations because they form more stable complexes with the metal ions than mono- or bidentate ligands due to the chelate effect. Examples of polydentate ligands are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), crown ethers, and cryptands. The most important feature of optimal polydentate ligands is the ability to form 1:1 complexes in a single-step process. Amino carboxylic acid derivatives are frequently used as complexing agents. EDTA is...
Masking and Demasking Agents01:19

Masking and Demasking Agents

EDTA titrations may necessitate masking and demasking agents to temporarily protect a particular metal ion in a mixture from the EDTA reaction. These agents facilitate the sequential analysis of the metal ions by forming stable complexes with some—but not all—metal ions during certain steps.
There are many masking agents, such as cyanide, fluoride, triethanolamine, thiourea, and 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propan-1-ol (formerly 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol), with the masking agent chosen based on the metal...

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

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Strategies for Enhancing Selectivity in Anticancer Metal Complexes.

Paolo R Butcher1, Daniel Sykes1

  • 1School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, U.K.

ACS Omega
|June 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary

This review explores strategies to improve anticancer metal complexes, like platinum, for better cancer cell targeting. The goal is to reduce side effects by enhancing selectivity and minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues.

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Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Area of Science:

  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Anticancer metal complexes, particularly platinum-based ones like cisplatin, are crucial in chemotherapy.
  • Current limitations include poor selectivity, leading to severe side effects in patients.
  • Enhancing selectivity is key to developing safer and more effective cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and categorize strategies for improving the selectivity of metal complexes towards cancer cells.
  • To provide a consolidated resource for researchers designing next-generation anticancer agents.
  • To minimize toxicity towards healthy cells by enhancing targeted delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Categorization of strategies into passive targeting, active targeting, stimulus-responsive systems, structural modifications, subcellular targeting, delivery systems, external stimulus-controlled methods, and exploitation of tumor-specific biology.
  • Discussion of scientific principles, examples, advantages, limitations, and recent advances for each strategy.
  • Comprehensive literature review of existing and proposed methods.

Main Results:

  • Multiple strategies exist to enhance metal complex selectivity, including passive and active targeting, stimulus-responsive designs, and exploiting tumor-specific biology.
  • Each strategy presents unique advantages and limitations that influence their clinical applicability.
  • Recent advances focus on integrating multiple strategies for synergistic effects and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Improving the selectivity of metal complexes is paramount for developing next-generation cancer therapies.
  • A multifaceted approach combining various targeting strategies offers the most promising path to enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.
  • Further research into novel delivery systems and stimulus-responsive mechanisms is essential for clinical translation.