Synthesis, structure characterization and antitumor activities of copper and cobalt thiocyanate complexes with 3-acetlpyridine ligand

Complexes of [Cu(SCN)2(3-Acpy)2], (1) and [Co(SCN)2(H2O)2(3-Acpy)2], (2) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. Through hydrogen bonding, the discrete units of complexes 1 and 2 extend to form a 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 1 and 2 were evaluated to determine whether they were able to inhibit the growth of liver cancer (HepG2 cells) and breast cancer (MCF-7 cells). Complex 1 exhibits lower IC50 values than complex 2 against both of two human cell lines.