Binuclear iron tetranitrosyl complexes with m - and p -methoxybenzenethiolate and naphthalene-2-thiolate ligands: synthesis, structure, and properties

Three new binuclear iron tetranitrosyl complexes with m - and p -methoxybenzenethiolate and naphthalene-2-thiolate ligands were synthesized. The crystals of the new complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The synthesized complexes were evaluated for nitric oxide-donor properties, cytotoxicity against cancer and normal cell lines, and antibacterial activity. The complexes and the corresponding ligands have different toxicity in cells of different origin; in some cases, the ligands exhibit higher cytotoxicity compared to the complexes. The complexes exhibited antibacterial activity comparable to that of the antibiotic kanamycin, while the ligands did not possess antibacterial activity. The complex with the m -methoxybenzenethiolate ligand inhibits the biofilm formation of the bacteria Micrococcus luteus with an efficiency comparable to that of ampicillin and kanamycin.