Synthesis, characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of three organotin(IV) complexes with carbazole ligand

Three novel organotin(IV) complexes with 2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl) acetic acid (HL), of the formulae {[nBu2SnOL]2O}2 (1), [nBuSn(O)OL]6 (2) and [nBu3SnOL]6 (3) were prepared. All compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography, confirming that complex (1) is tetranuclear one with ladder framework, complex (2) is a hexanuclear organotin(IV) complex with drum structure and complex (3) is a macrocycle with 24-membered stannoxane ring. Furthermore, all complexes were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activity, using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (BEL-7402) and human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Complex (1) displayed the best cytotoxicity and can be pointed out as a promising substrate to be subject of further investigations.