Synthesis and anti‐HIV activity of new 2‐thiolumazine and 2‐thiouracil metal complexes

A series of new Cu(II), Pt(II), VO(II), Fe(II), and Co(II) complexes ( 1‐‐5 ) with 3‐methyl‐6,7‐diphenyllumazine are described. Similarly, complexes from 2‐thiouracil with Cu(II) ( 6,7 ) and Pt(II) ( 8 ) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods. All the complexes were assayed for their anti‐HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 activity by examination of their inhibition of HIV‐induced cytopathogenicity in MT‐4 cells. Compound 3 was found to be the most active inhibitor against HIV‐2 in cell culture (EC₅₀ = >18.9 μ g/mL, selectivity index (SI) = 3), which provided a good lead for further optimization. Compounds 6 and 7 exhibited some activity (EC₅₀ = >7.12 μ g/mL and >2.23 μ g/mL) against HIV‐1 and HIV‐2, but no selectivity was observed (SI <1). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:44–50, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20654     

Synthesis of Novel 3-(5-(Alkyl/arylthio)-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl)-8-Phenylquinolin-4(1H)-One Derivatives as Anti-HIV Agents

Novel quinolone derivatives featuring an 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring as a metal-chelating component and a benzyl group base on HIV-1 integrase inhibitors pharmacophore were designed and synthesized. An antiviral assay revealed that most analogues inhibited HIV-1 replication in the cell culture. Our results showed that compounds bearing small alkyl groups as R group were inactive in anti-HIV-1 assay, whereas compounds possessing benzyl or substituted benzyl at the same position showed good anti-HIV activity with the range of 20–57% at 100 μM concentration. Among them, 3-(5-((2-fluorobenzyl)thio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-8-phenylquinolin-4-(1H)-one (compound 13) showed reasonable cell-based antiviral activity (EC₅₀ = 50 μM) with no considerable cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ > 100 μM) in the cell viability assay, suggesting that it may be amenable to further development for identifying new anti-HIV-1 agents. Docking studies using the later crystallographic data available for PFV integrase corroborate favorable binding to the active site of HIV integrase, providing a basis for the design of more potent analogues.     

Crystal structures,electrochemical properties,antioxidant screening and in vitro cytotoxic studies on four novel Cu(II) complexes of bidentate Schiff base ligands derived from 2-methoxyethylamine

Four novel Schiff base ligands and their copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] (1), [Cu(L²)₂] (2), [Cu(L³)₂] (3), and [Cu(L⁴)₂] (4), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The ligands were synthesized from the condensation of 2-methoxyethylamine with various salicylaldehyde derivatives (x-salicylaldehyde for HLⁿ, x = H (n = 1), 5-Br (n = 2), 3-OMe (n = 3), and 4-OMe (n = 4)). The molecular structures of 1, 2, and 3 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The redox behavior studies of the complexes in acetonitrile display the electronic effects of the groups on the redox potential. The antioxidant activity of the Schiff base ligands and their Cu(II) complexes was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and FRAP assay. Furthermore, the in vitro anticancer activity of compounds was screened, including MTT and migration assays against gastric cancer cell line (MKN-45). The results show that all ligands and complexes have antioxidant and anticancer activity in a concentration-dependent way.     

Novel Symmetrical trans‐Bis‐Schiff Bases of N‐Substituted‐4‐ piperidones: Synthesis,Characterization, and Preliminary Antileukemia Activity Mensurations

A series of novel symmetrical trans‐bis‐Schiff bases ( 11a , 11b , 11c , 11d , 11e , 11f , 11g , 11h , 11i , 11j , 11k , 11l , 11m ) were designed and prepared as novel anticancer analogues, with the trans‐configuration confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Preliminary inhibitory effects of these compounds on CML K562 cell growth were investigated, and the potential analogue 11e showed an excellent anti‐leukemia activity (IC₅₀=6.35 μg/mL), which is higher than that of the clinical drug 5‐fluorouracil (IC₅₀=8.48 μg/mL). Complete assignments had been achieved for the title compounds by spectroscopic techniques, and their structure–activity relationships have been studied.     

Coordination chemistry of some new Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) macroacyclic (N2O4) Schiff base complexes: X-ray crystal structure of Cu(II) complex

Six new Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) macroacyclic Schiff base complexes [M^II(H₂L)](ClO₄)₂ (L = L¹ and L²) (I–VI) were prepared by the reaction of two new N₂O₄ Schiff base ligands in equemolar ratios. The ligands H₂L¹ and H₂L² were synthesized by reaction of 2-[2-(2-formyl phenoxy)ethoxy]benzaldehyde (A¹) and/or 2-[2-(3-formylphenoxy)propoxy]benzaldehyde (A²) and ethanol amine and characterized with IR and ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. All complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR and mass spectrometry, whereas complex I was also characterized by single crystal X-ray (CIF file CCDC no. 1020055). The X-ray structure of complex I revealed that all nitrogen and oxygen atoms of ligand (N₂O₄) have coordinated to the metal ion. However, Cu²⁺ ion is in six coordination environment that can bedescribed as a distorted octahedral geometry.     

β-secretase 1 inhibitory activity and AMP-activated protein kinase activation of Callyspongia samarensis extracts

Abstract

The methanolic extract of Callyspongia samarensis (MCS) significantly inhibited β-secretase 1 (IC₅₀ 99.82?µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner and demonstrated a noncompetitive type of inhibition. Furthermore, it exhibited the highest AMPK activation (EC₅₀ 14.47?μg/mL) as compared with the standard, Aspirin (EC₅₀ >100?μg/mL). HPLC/ESI-MS analysis of MCS extract revealed 15 peaks, in which nine peaks demonstrated similar fragmentation pattern with the known compounds in literature and in database library: 5-aminopentanoic acid (1), 4-aminobutanoic acid (3), Luotonin A (4), (E)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl) prop-2-enoic acid (8), Galactosphingosine (10), D-sphingosine (11), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone (12), hydroxydihydrovolide (13), and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxyphenylpyruvic acid (14); and 6 peaks are not identified (2, 5–7, 9, and 15). Acute oral toxicity test of MCS extract revealed that it is nontoxic, with an LD₅₀ of >2000?mg/kg. Assessment of BBB permeability of MCS extract showed that compound 15 was able to cross the BBB making it a suitable candidate for developing CNS drugs.     

New Ni(II) complexes involving symmetrical bidentate N,O-donor Schiff base ligands: synthesis at ambient temperature,crystal structures,electrochemical study,antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

A new series of Ni(II) complexes, [Ni(L¹)₂] (1), [Ni(L²)₂] (2), [Ni(L³)₂] (3), and [Ni(L⁴)₂] (4), were synthesized at ambient temperature. The bidentate Schiff base ligands HL^1?4 have been obtained by the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-methoxy-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, and 4-methoxy-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, respectively, with 2-methoxyethylamine. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The crystal structures of mononuclear Ni(II) complexes 2 and 3 were determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Electrochemical properties of the complexes were investigated in acetonitrile. The antioxidant properties of the Schiff base ligands and complexes were evaluated by two in vitro tests, DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power. The compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using gastric cancer cell lines by MTT assay. All ligands and complexes showed considerable cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 0.2516–5.468 μg·mL^?1). The most promising result was achieved for complex 1 with the best IC₅₀ value of 0.2516 μg·mL^?1. It was found that the proliferation rate of MKN-45 cells decreased after treatment with the complexes in a dose-dependent way.     

Square planar complexes of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O donor set of two Schiff base ligands: synthesis and structural aspects

Abstract Two new square planar Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes, [CuL¹(NCO)] (1) and [NiL²(N₃)] (2) have been synthesized with two different tridentate N₂O donor Schiff base ligands L ¹ H (1:1 condensation product of benzoylacetone and 2-diethylaminoethylamine) and L ² H (1:1 condensation product of benzoylacetone and 2-dimethylaminoethylamine), respectively. Both the complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement, electrochemical, thermal, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Structural studies reveal that in both the complexes metal centers have square planar environment with N₂O donor set of Schiff base ligands and terminal pseudohalide anions (isocyanate for 1 and azide for 2) at four coordination sites of square plane. Graphical abstract Square planar complexes of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with N ₂ O donor set of two Schiff base ligands: synthesis and structural aspects Subhra Basak, Soma Sen, Samiran Mitra, C. Marschner, W. S. Sheldrick Two new square planar Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes, [CuL¹(NCO)] (1) and [NiL²(N₃)] (2) have been synthesized with two different tridentate N₂O donor Schiff base ligands L ¹ H and L ² H respectively. Both the complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement, electrochemical, thermal and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.      

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of new homo acyclic nucleosides, 1-(pent-4-enyl)quinoxalin-2-ones and 2-(pent-4-enyloxy)quinoxalines

A series of acyclonucleosides 6,7-disubstituted 1-(pent-4-enyl)quinoxalin-2-one derivatives and the O-analogs were synthesized by a one-step condensation of the corresponding quinoxaline bases with 5-bromo-1-pentene.The acyclonucleosides prepared were assayed against HIV-1 and HIV-2 in MT-4 cells. 6,7-Dimethyl-2-(pent-4-enyloxy)quinoxaline showed inhibition of HIV-1 with EC₅₀ value of 0.22 ± 0.08 μg/ml and a therapeutic index of 13. This means that it was cytotoxic to MT-4 cells at CC₅₀ of 2.6 ± 0.1 μg/ml. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1243–1250, August, 2007.     

A new butenolide cinnamate and other biological active chemical constituents from Polygonum glabrum

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Polygonum glabrum afforded one new natural product ( ? )-2-methoxy-2-butenolide-3-cinnamate (1) along with six known compounds, β-hydroxyfriedalanol (2), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (3), ( ? ) pinocembrin (4), sitosterol-(6′-O-palmitoyl)-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), ( ? ) pinocembrin-5-methyl ether (6) and sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7). Compound 1 showed promising in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity against primary isolates HIV-1_UG070 (X4, subtype D) and HIV-1_VB59 (R5, subtype C) assayed using TZM-bl cell line with IC₅₀ in the range of 15.68–22.43 μg/mL. The extract showed TI in the range of 19.19–27.37 with IC₅₀ in the range of 10.90–15.55 μg/mL. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 exhibited in vitro anti-mycobacterium activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra with IC₅₀ values of 1.43, 3.33 and 1.11 μg/mL in dormant phase and 2.27, 3.33 and 1.21 μg/mL in active phase, respectively. Compound 4 was found to be the most active antiproliferative with IC₅₀ values of 1.88–11.00 μg/mL against THP-1, A549, Panc-1, HeLa and MCF7 cell lines.     

A Facile Latex Agglutination Lectin Assay (LALA) for Weakly Binding Ligands

To apply the latex agglutination lectin assay (LALA) to carbohydrate ligands, monosaccharide derivatives were incorporated onto latex beads by various methods, and the usefulness of the resulting beads was evaluated. The best outcome, which resulted in aggregation with lectin concentrations of 1 to 4 μg/mL, was obtained when latex beads coated with bovine serum albumin were treated with divinylsulfone, a linker agent, and then with 2-aminoethyl glycosides. Monosaccharides with an amino or anomeric hydroxyl group other than N-acetylglucosamine were applicable in this direct LALA. For example, mannose- and 5-thiomannose-coupled latex beads showed aggregation with minimum concanavalin (ConA) concentrations of 4 and 32 μg/mL, respectively. An inhibition assay was more versatile than the direct LALA, and the standardized inhibition activity (EC⁰ ₅₀) was determined for several compounds. Representative EC⁰ ₅₀ data for mannose, methyl mannoside, and p-nitrophenyl mannoside (1, 0.12, and 0.06 mM, respectively) are consistent with those reported with other methods. We obtained EC⁰ ₅₀ values for some synthetic compounds with slightly different binding abilities to ConA, demonstrating a semiquantitative character of this method. The inhibition LALA can be performed without instrumentation or tedious derivatization and is thus suitable for the rapid evaluation of monovalent ligands prior to assemblage into multivalent ligands.     

Two complexes crystallizing from the aqueous system Ni2+ - tacn -[Ni(CN)4]2− ( tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane)

Two new complexes [Ni(tacn)₂][Ni(CN)₄]·2H₂O (1) and Ni(tacn)Ni(CN)₄·H₂O (2) (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) have been synthesized from water and characterized by chemical analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of 1 revealed an ionic structure built up of [Ni(tacn)₂]²⁺ and [Ni(CN)₄]^2? complex ions without coordinated water. While cationic Ni(II) atom is octahedrally coordinated by two tridentate tacn ligands with Ni–N bonds from 2.101(3)–2.118(3) Å, the anionic Ni(II) atom is square planar with Ni–C bonds from 1.866(4) to 1.880(3) Å. An extended hydrogen bonding system connects complex cations, complex anions and water yielding hydrogen-bonded layers. Magnetic study of 1 revealed a decrease of the effective magnetic moment from 2.90 (300 K) to 2.43 μ_B at 1.8 K due to zero-field splitting. Fitting of the susceptibility data yielded g = 2.05, D/hc = 3.82 cm^–1 and E/hc = 0.23 cm^–1. IR spectral data indicate the presence of bridging cyano ligands in the structure of 2.     

Cu(II) complexes with 4-amino-3,5-dimethyl isoxazole and substituted aromatic aldehyde Schiff bases: synthesis,crystal structure,antimicrobial activity,DNA binding and cleavage studies

Three isoxazole Schiff bases 2-((E)-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-ylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (L¹), 2-((E)-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-ylimino)methyl)-4,6-diiodophenol (L²), 2-((E)-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-ylimino)methyl)-6-bromo-4-chlorophenol (L³), and their Cu(II) complexes [Cu(L¹)₂] (1), [Cu(L²)₂] (2) and [Cu(L³)₂] (3) were synthesized. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI mass, UV-Visible, ESR, TGA, magnetic moments, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Based on analytical data, a square planar geometry is assigned to the Cu(II) complexes with N₂O₂ donors from the Schiff base ligands. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements of 1 and 2 confirmed the square planar geometry. DNA binding studies from electronic absorption titrations, viscosity measurements, and fluorescence quenching studies indicated an intercalation mode of binding of Cu(II) complexes with CT-DNA. DNA cleavage experiments of Cu(II) complexes with supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA have also been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence of H₂O₂ (oxidative cleavage) and UV light (photolytic cleavage). The synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtillis and Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) activities by the paper disk method. The Cu(II) complexes showed better activity than corresponding Schiff bases.     

A linear trinuclear cobalt(II) complex with 4-(2-pyridine)-1,2,4-triazole: synthesis,structure and characterization

The linear trinuclear cobalt(II) complex [Co₃(pytrz)₆(H₂O)₆](NO₃)₆ (1) with pytrz = 4-(2-pyridine)-1,2,4-triazole has been prepared and characterized. It crystallizes in the rhombohedral R-3 space group with Z = 3, a = 13.955(2), b = 13.955(2), c = 28.942(9) Å, γ = 120°, V = 4881.2(18) ų. The structure of 1 comprises the cation [Co₃(pytrz)₆(H₂O)₆]⁶⁺, in which linear trinuclear Co(II) units are bridged by six L ligands and have six aqua molecules as terminal ligands. The six free nitrates link the terminal aqua ligands through N–H ··· O hydrogen bonds with C₃ symmetry. 1 was characterized by FT-IR, electronic spectra and magnetic measurements. The variable-temperature magnetic measurements reveal weak anti-ferromagnetic interactions in 1.     

Alkyl chain length effect on construction of copper(II) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligand and DNA interaction

Two tridentate Schiff base ligands were synthesized by condensation of equimolar amounts of benzoylacetone and 2-amino-1-ethanol or 3-amino-1-propanol, H₂L¹ and H₂L², respectively. The reaction of the Schiff base ligands with Cu(CH₃COO)₂ in methanol leads to (CuL¹)₄, 1 and (CuL²)₂, 2. In the tetranuclear cubane species, the tridentate H₂L has both a chelating and a bridging mode, after double deprotonation of the enolic OH groups. The copper(II) centers are five-coordinate with a NO₄ donor set from the ligands. The coordination geometry around each copper ion is essentially square pyramidal with one nitrogen and two oxygens from one ligand and two oxygens of adjacent ligands from the next unit of the cubane. In dinuclear 2, H₂L² has chelating and bridging modes after double deprotonation of the enolic OH groups. The dianionic form of the Schiff base coordinates forming a six-membered chelate ring with Cu(II). Two such monomeric CuL² entities are eventually linked through the alkoxo bridges to produce dinuclear 2. The absorption spectra strongly suggest that 2 interacts with CT-DNA. Both 1 and 2 appear to be more efficient than the parent compound in DNA cleavage.     

Spectral characterization and biological evaluation of Schiff bases and their mixed ligand metal complexes derived from 4,6-diacetylresorcinol

In the present study two new series of Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II) complexes with two newly synthesized Schiff base ligands 4,6-bis(1-(4-bromophenylimino)ethyl)benzene-1,3-diol (H₂L¹), 4,6-bis(1-(4-methoxyphenylimino) ethyl)benzene-1,3-diol (H₂L²) and organic ligands 8-hydroxy quinoline, 1,10-phenanthroline have been prepared. The Schiff bases H₂L¹ and H₂L² ligands were synthesized by the condensation of 4,6-diacetyl resorcinol with 4-bromo aniline and 4-methoxy aniline. The ligands and their metal complexes have been characterized by FT-IR, Mass, ¹H NMR, UV–Vis., elemental analysis, ESR and Thermal gravimetric analysis. The Schiff base and their metal complexes were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungus Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus using Broth Dilution Method.     

Synthesis,characterization, luminescence,antibacterial, and catalytic activities of a palladium(II) complex involving a Schiff base

A new Pd(II) complex of fluorine-containing Schiff base ligand, [Pd₂(L)₂Cl₂] (1) [L?=?N-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-2,6-diethylbenzenamine], has been synthesized using solvothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, IR-spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, UV–vis absorption spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a μ-chloro-bridged dinuclear cyclometallated Pd(II) complex. Thermal analysis indicates that 1 is quite stable to heat. 1 exhibits quadruple emissions in the solid state (λ _max?=?766?nm) and possesses fluorescence lifetimes (τ ₁?=?87.20?ns, τ ₂?=?190.45?ns, and τ ₃?=?1805.10?ns at 616?nm); broad structureless bands at 690–800?nm are tentatively assigned to an excimeric ³IL transition. The Schiff base (L) and its palladium(II) compound (1) have been screened for their antibacterial activity against several bacteria, and the results are compared with the activity of penicillin. Moreover, 1 has been shown to be highly effective in the Heck reaction of 4-bromotoluene with acrylic acid.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure,and electrochemical properties of three copper(II) complexes with 3,5-dihalosalicylaldehyde Schiff bases derived from amantadine

Abstract

Complexes 1-3, C₃₄H₃₆X₄CuN₂O₂ (X?=?Cl, Br, I), were synthesized with copper chloride dihydrate and three new Schiff base ligands derived from amantadine and 3,5-dihalosalicylaldehydes. They were characterized by IR, UV–VIS, elemental analysis, molar conductance, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system, Pī space group. Each asymmetric unit consists of one copper(II) ion, two corresponding deprotonated Schiff base ligands and one lattice dichloromethane molecule. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/n space group. Each asymmetric unit consists of one copper(II) ion and two deprotonated iodo- Schiff base ligands. The tetra-coordination of the central copper(II) ion in 1-3 is constructed by two nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms from the corresponding Schiff base ligands, forming a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Electrochemical properties of the complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry.

     

Spectral characterization,electrochemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic studies on new metal(II) complexes containing N2O4 donor hexadentate Schiff base ligand

We report the biological activity of the new Schiff base ligand H₂L (H₂L = 6,6′-((1E,11E)-5,8-dioxa-2,11-diazadodeca-1,11-diene-1,12-diyl)bis(2,4-dichlorophenol)), its derived metal(II) complexes [Cu(L)] (1), [Co(L)] (2), [Ni(L)] (3) and [Zn(L)] (4), along with their structural characterizations by using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Electrochemical investigations showed that all of these Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes were reversibly reducible. Although the change of the number of unpaired electrons are different of the metal cations, they have an effect on the redox potentials of the Co(II)/(I), Ni(II)/(I) and Cu(II)/(I) couples. The ¹H NMR and FTIR data concluded that the Schiff base ligand H₂L acts as a hexadentate ligand coordinating with metal(II) ions through the oxygen atoms of the (COC), phenolic (COH) groups and nitrogen atom of the azomethine (CHN) group. UV-Visible absorption spectra studies clearly revealed the octahedral geometry of the prepared metal(II) complexes. Complexes 1 and 4 were found to be efficient in bringing about antimicrobial activities. The proposed mechanism of their antimicrobial activities has been discussed. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the remarkable cytotoxicity of complex 1 (IC50 = 17 ± 1.3 μg/mL) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells than Schiff base ligand H₂L and complexes 2–4. Moreover, AO/EB staining assay revealed cell death due to apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and the generation of ROS by the Schiff base ligand H₂L and its derived metal(II) complexes 1–4 may be a possible cause for their cytotoxic activity.