Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic activity of ferrocenyl hydrazone complexes containing a furan moiety

A ferrocenyl ligand 1 was prepared from condensation of 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde with l,l′-diacetylferrocene dihydrazone. This ligand forms 1:1 complexes with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) 2–5 in good yield. Characterization of the ligand and complexes was carried out using infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectra, electronic absorption, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and elemental analysis. Cytotoxic activity of the prepared ligand and its complexes were tested against different human cancer cell lines. The results suggested that the synthesized compounds were more potent than the comparative standards drugs used in most cases, whereas they had less activity in the others.