Cytotoxic dinuclear titanium-salan complexes: structural and biological characterization

Controlled hydrolysis of donor-substituted titanium-salan complexes led to the formation of well-defined dinuclear complexes. Structure determination by means of X-ray and NMR-studies revealed the presence of a single μ-oxo bridge and one labile alkoxide ligand per titanium center. Concomitant cytotoxicity assays of the isolated dinuclear complexes showed cytotoxicities in the low micro-molar region, surpassing in this respect even their monomeric ancestors, thus making them possible highly active metabolites of titanium-salan anti-cancer drugs.