Bis(pyrazolyl) palladium(II), platinum(II) and gold(III) complexes: Syntheses, molecular structures and substitution reactions with l-cysteine

A series of pyrazolyl palladium(II), platinum(II) and gold(III) complexes, [PdCl2(3,5-R2bpza)] {R = H (1), R = Me (2), bpza = bis-pyrazolyl acetic acid}, [PtCl2(3,5-R2bpza)] {R = H (3a), R = Me (4)}, [AuCl2(3,5-R2bpza)]Cl {R = H (5a), R = Me (6a)} and [PdCl2(3,5-R2bpzate)] {R = Me (7)} have been synthesised and structurally characterised. Single crystal X-ray crystallography showed that the pyrazolyl ligands exhibit N^N-coordination with the metals. Anticancer activities of six complexes 1–6a were investigated against CHO cells and were found to have low activities. Substitution reactions of selected complexes 1, 2, 3a and 5a with l-cysteine show that the low anticancer activities compounds and that the rate of substitution with sulfur-containing compounds is not the cause of the low anticancer activities.