Synthesis, characterisation and ROP catalytic evaluation of Cu(II) complexes bearing 2,2ʹ-diphenylglycine-derived moieties

The synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of copper complexes with chelate ligation derived from the compound 2.2′-diphenylglycine (DpgH) are reported. Compounds [CuCl(Dpg)(EtOH)]2 ( 1 ) [(CuBr2)2(Dpg)2Cu(EtOH)4] 2 were found to be low toxicity using against cancerous cell lines (HCT116 HT29) IC50 values for complex lower than that cisplatin, while opposite was observed . These inactive in homo- co-ring opening polymerization (ROP) cyclic esters (ε-caprolactone rac -lactide) epoxides (propylene oxide cyclohexene oxide). • Diphenylglycine-derived synthesized. molecular four copper(II) determined by single XRD. cytotoxicity two (1 2) investigated. screened their ability ring open polymerize epoxides. treatment CuX (X = Cl, Br) an equimolar amount 2-2ʹ-diphenylglycine EtOH at reflux afforded, after work up, [CuCl(Dpg)(EtOH)] [(CuBr (Dpg) Cu(EtOH) 4 ] ), respectively. compounds obtained microanalytically pure moderate yield (13 27%, respectively) fully characterised. Synthetic attempts towards Cu-alkoxide species led isolation heterobimetallic [(CuCl )(Dpg)Li(THF)]·THF 3 ·THF). Finally, , bearing imine ligand decarboxylation DpgH, serendipitously synthesis shown non-toxic HCT116 HT-29.