Synthesis, structure and cytotoxic activity evaluation of a dinuclear complex of Cd(II) with N′,N′2-bis[(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]propanedihydrazide

A new dinuclear complex of Cd(II) with N′,N′2-bis[(1E) -1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]propanedihydrazide (H2L) was synthesized and its crystal structure determined. The basic structural unit of the complex is the binuclear [Cd2(H2O)2(H2L)2]4+ cation, where each cadmium atom is heptacoordinated by two tridentate H2L ligands, by means of the NNO chelating system, and one water molecule. A 12-membered macrocycle is defined at the core of the binuclear cation. The complex showed a pronounced cytotoxic activity to murine melanoma B16 cells and human cervical cancer HeLa cells.