The Synthesis,Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Herein we report the synthesis of a tridentate phosphine ligand N(CH₂PPh₂)₃ (N-triphos^Ph) (1) via a phosphorus based Mannich reaction of the hydroxylmethylene phosphine precursor with ammonia in methanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. The N-triphos^Ph ligand precipitates from the solution after approximately 1 hr of reflux and can be isolated analytically pure via simple cannula filtration procedure under nitrogen. Reaction of the N-triphos^Ph ligand with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] under reflux affords a deep red solution that show evolution of CO gas on ligand complexation. Orange crystals of the complex [Ru(CO)₂{N(CH₂PPh₂)₃}-κ³P] (2) were isolated on cooling to RT. The ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectrum showed a characteristic single peak at lower frequency compared to the free ligand. Reaction of a toluene solution of complex 2 with oxygen resulted in the instantaneous precipitation of the carbonate complex [Ru(CO₃)(CO){N(CH₂PPh₂)₃}-κ³P] (3) as an air stable orange solid. Subsequent hydrogenation of 3 under 15 bar of hydrogen in a high-pressure reactor gave the dihydride complex [RuH₂(CO){N(CH₂PPh₂)₃}-κ³P] (4), which was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 3 and 4 are potentially useful catalyst precursors for a range of hydrogenation reactions, including biomass-derived products such as levulinic acid (LA). Complex 4 was found to cleanly react with LA in the presence of the proton source additive NH₄PF₆ to give [Ru(CO){N(CH₂PPh₂)₃}-κ³P{CH₃CO(CH₂)₂CO₂H}-κ²O](PF₆) (6).     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Cu(II) Complexes Containing Triflupromazine with Glycine and Histidine

Two novel copper (II) complexes [Cu(TFP)(Gly)Cl] ⋅ 2H₂O complex ( 1 ) and [Cu(TFP)(His)Cl] ⋅ 2H₂O complex ( 2 ) are synthesized, where TFP stands for trifluropromazine, Gly. represents glycine, and His. is histidine. Chemical composition, IR, mass spectra, and magnetic susceptibility tests are performed. Complex binding with macromolecules was investigated using UV-vis, viscosity, gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence quenching. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that each complex could replace ethidium bromide (EB). These complexes exhibit grooved, non-covalent, and electrostatic interactions with CT-DNA. Spectroscopy analysis of the BSA interaction showed that complexes bind to protein (K_b values for ( 1 ) is 5.89×10³ M⁻¹ and for ( 2 ) is 9.08×10³ M⁻¹) more strongly than CT-DNA (K_b values for ( 1 ) is 5.43×10³ M⁻¹ and for ( 2 ) is 7.17×10³ M⁻¹). Molecular docking analysis and spectral absorption measurements showed high agreement. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties were tested in vitro. The druggability of complex ( 2 ) should be tested in vivo as it is more biologically active.     

Heterobimetallic M/Zn (M = Cu, Ni) complexes with open-chain N- and N,O-ligands: Template synthesis from metal powders and supramolecular crystal structures

A series of new heterometallic Cu^IIZn^II and Ni^IIZn^II complexes with N- and N,O open-chain multidentate ligands (L¹ = 4,6,6-trimethyl-1,9-diamino-3,7-diazanon-3-ene; L² = 3,7-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1,3,5,7-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; L³ = 1,15-dihydroxy-7,9,9-trimethyl-3,6,10,13-tetraazapentadec-6-ene and L⁴ = 1-hydroxy-9-oxy-4,6,6-trimethyl-3,7-diazanon-3-ene) have been prepared through the “direct template synthesis” approach, which is a combination of classical template reactions of amines with acetone/formaldehyde and the “direct synthesis” method based on using elemental metals as starting materials. There is a significant decrease in the reaction time when the “direct synthesis” method is used compared to the conventional template condensation methods. X-ray crystallographic analyses of the complexes with the general formula M(L)ZnX₄ and [CuL⁴ZnCl₃]₂ (M = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺; L = L¹-L³; X = Cl⁻, NCS⁻) reveal the presence of long intermolecular distance interactions, such as semi-coordination, S?S and H-bonding, in their crystal organization.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antimalarial Activities of Azines Based Schiff Bases and their Pd(II) Complexes

Herein, we report synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of azines Schiff base ligands (L¹−L⁴) and their palladium (II) complexes ( C¹−C⁴ ) of [Pd(L)(OAc)₂] type. The azine ligands (L¹−L⁴) were prepared by condensation of carbonyl compounds with hydrazine hydrate and their complexes by the reaction of palladium acetate with L¹−L⁴ ligands in 1 : 1 molar ratio. The prepared ligands and their complexes were characterized by spectral characterization using ¹H &¹³C-NMR, FT-IR and mass spectral studies, which revealed that the ligands coordinates via azomethine nitrogen and heteroatom or aryl carbon with palladium. Moreover, Schiff bases and their palladium (II) complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (S. aureus, B. subtillis, and S. typhi, P. aeruginosa), antifungal (C. albicans, A. niger, and A. clavatus) and antimalarial (P. falciparum) activities. The Schiff base L⁴ showed good results for antibacterial against S. aureus (MIC, 50 μg/mL) and antimalarial against P. falciparum (IC₅₀, 0.83 μg/mL). The complex C¹ showed best antibacterial activity (MIC, 62.5 μg/mL) against S. typhi and the complex C⁴ exhibited remarkable antimalarial activity (IC₅₀, 0.42 μg/mL) among the tested compounds. Thus, azines based ligands and their Pd complexes can be good antimicrobial and antimalarial agents if explored further.     

Copper(II) Complexes with N,O-Donor Ligands and Ofloxacin Drug as Antibacterial,DNA Interacting,Cytotoxic and SOD Mimic Agent

Abstract

The N,O-donor bidentate ligands (L¹–L⁷) derived from the reaction between chalcones and pyridinium salt of 2-acetyl furan were synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Their complexes [1–7] of Cu(II) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, TG analyses, IR and mass spectroscopy. Synthesized complexes were carried out for their biological elucidation using different biological experiments like minimum inhibitory concentration, DNA binding and cleavage study, cytotoxicity, and antiradical activity. Efficient cleavage of pUC19 DNA was observed for all the test complexes than the reference drug.

Graphical Abstract

Increase in DNA chain length and hence the relative viscosity as the complexes binds to DNA via intercalative mode and involves a strong stacking interaction between an aromatic chromophore and the DNA base pair.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12088-015-0525-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Structural determinations, magnetic and EPR studies of complexes involving the Cr(OH)2Cr unit

Five heterometallic compounds with formulae [Ba(H₂O)₄Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂] · 3H₂O (I), [M(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂] [Cr₂(OH)₂(nta)₂] · 7H₂O, where M²⁺ = Zn, (II); Ni, (III); Co, (IV) and [Mn(H₂O)₃(bpy)Cr₂(OH)₂(nta)₂] · (bpy) · 5H₂O (V); bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, (nta = nitrilotriacetate ion) have been prepared by reaction of I with the corresponding M^II-sulfates in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine. Substances I–V have been characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, EPR and X-ray determinations. I represents a 2D coordination polymer formed by coordination of centrosymmetrical dimeric chromium(III) units and Barium cations. The 10-coordinate Ba polyhedron is completed by four water molecules. Compounds II–IV are isostructural and consist of non-centrosymmetric dimeric anions [Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]²⁻, complex cations [M^II(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and solvate water molecules. The octahedral coordination of chromium atoms implies four donor atoms of the nta³⁻ ligands and two bridging OH groups. Multiple hydrogen bonds of coordinated and solvate water molecules link anions and cations in a 3D network. A similar [Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]²⁻ unit is found in V. The bridging function is performed by a carboxylate oxygen atom of the nta ligand that leads to the formation of a trinuclear complex [Mn(bpy)(H₂O)₂Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]. Experimental and calculated frequency and temperature dependences of EPR spectra of these compounds are presented. The fine structure appearing on the EPR spectra of compound V is analyzed in detail at different temperatures. It is established that the main part of the EPR signals is due to the transitions in the spin states of a spin multiplet with S = 2. Analyses of experimental and calculated spectra confirm the absence of interaction between metal ions (M^II) and Cr-dimers in complexes III and IV and the presence of weak Mn–Cr interactions in V. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibilities for I–V was fitted on the basis of the expression derived from isotropic Hamiltonian including a bi-quadratic exchange term.     

The isolation and structural characterization of copper(II) complexes obtained by oxidation of the 2,6-bis(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and 2-(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)-1-methylimidazole ligands

The reactions of [Cu(NCCH₃)₄]BF₄ with 2,6-(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and 2-(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)-1-methylimidazole afford Cu(I) species that convert slowly to the Cu(II) complexes [CuCl{Cy₂P(O)CH₂pyCH₂P(O)Cy₂}(H₂O)]BF₄ and [Cu{MelmCH₂P(O)Prⁱ₂}₂](BF₄)₂, respectively, when their solutions are exposed to air. The structures of the Cu(II) complexes have been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Copper(II)-mediated oxime-nitrile coupling in non-aqueous solutions: Synthetic, structural and magnetic studies of the copper(II)-salicylaldehyde oxime reaction system

The reactions of salicylaldehyde oxime (H₂salox) with Cu^II precursors yielded the known complexes [Cu(Hsalox)₂] (1) and [Cu(Hsalox)₂]_n (2), as well as complexes [Cu₃(salox)(L₁)(L₂)]·MeCN (3·MeCN), [CuCl(L₁)] (4) and [Cu₂Na(O₂CMe)₅(HO₂CMe)]_n (5), where L₁⁻ = o-O-C₆H₄-CHNO-C(CH₃)NH and L₂³⁻ = o-O-C₆H₄-CHNO-C(o-O-C₆H₄)N. L₁⁻ was formed in situ via the nucleophilic addition of the oximato O-atom of salox²⁻ to the unsaturated nitrile group of the MeCN reaction solvent. L₂³⁻ is also formed in situ probably through the nucleophilic attack of the oximato O-atom to the unsaturated nitrile group of salicylnitrile; the latter, although not directly added to the reaction mixture, can be produced via the dehydration of salox²⁻. Compounds 1 and 2 contain Hsalox⁻ bound to the metal center in two different coordination modes; they both contain the same mononuclear unit, however a 2D network is generated in 2 due to a relatively long Cu-O_oximato bond. Compound 3 contains three different ligands, i.e. salox²⁻, L₁⁻ and L₂³⁻, which act as μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN, κO:κN:κN′ and μ₃-κ²O:κ²N:κO′:κN′, respectively, whereas 4 consists of a square planar Cu^II atom bound to a κO:κN:κN′ L₁⁻ and a chloride ion. Compound 5 consists of dinuclear [Cu₂(O₂CMe)₅(HO₂CMe)]⁻ units and Na⁺ ions assembled into an overall 3D network structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements from polycrystalline samples of 2 and 5 gave best-fit parameters J = +0.36 cm⁻¹ (H = −J?_i?_j) and J = −360 cm⁻¹, zj = +20 cm⁻¹ (H = −J?_i?_j − zJ〈S_z〉?_z), respectively.     

Studies on the reactions of ruthenium(II) substrates with tridentate (N,N,O) azo ligands

Reactions of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL_sal, 1, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_sal are phenyl for HL¹_sal, p-methylphenyl for HL²_sal, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_sal], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded complexes of composition [(L_sal)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)] and (L_sal)₂Ru where the N,N,O donor tridentate (L_sal)⁻ ligands coordinated the metal centre facially and meridionally, respectively. Stepwise formation of [(L_sal)₂Ru] has been ascertained. Reaction of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-napthol, HL_nap, 2, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_nap are phenyl for HL¹_nap, p-methylphenyl for HL²_nap, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_nap], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded exclusively the complexes of composition [(L_nap)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)], where N,N,O donor tridentate (L_nap)⁻ was facially coordinated. The ligand 1-{[2-(phenylazo)phenyl]aminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL, 3, was prepared by reducing the aldimine function of HL¹_sal. Reaction of HL with Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂ afforded new azosalen complex of Ru(III) in concert with regiospecific oxygenation of phenyl ring of HL. All the new ligands were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques and subsequently confirmed by the determination of X-ray structures of selected complexes.     

Evaluation of phosphinoamidoester-derived Pd catalysts in the asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction: theoretical studies and mechanistic insights

Two simple hemilabile P,O-coordinating phosphinoamidoester ligands 6a and 6b were synthesized and studied in the Pd(0)-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of rac-1,3-diphenylpropenyl acetate affording a highest ee of 83% ee with 6a. To gain an insight into the actual mechanism of this catalytic reactions, which had previously been investigated with a first generation family of P,O-coordinating phosphinoamido-alcohol ligands-4a and 4b-a semiempirical computational study was carried out with the Pd-allyl complexes formed from both 4a and 6a including Hitchcock's phosphinoamido-alcohol ligand 5 (R(1)= H, R(2)= Ph). The results of this study substantiate a working model that has previously been proposed for this reaction using hemilabile P,O-coordinating phosphinoamido-type ligands.     

Molybdenum complexes with O,N,S donor ligands as models for active sites in oxotransferases and hydroxylases

A series of homologous mononuclear dioxomolybdenum complexes were prepared and fully characterized with structurally related thiosemicarbazone ligands supplying a tridentate O,N,S donor set to the central metal atom. The ligands are derived from the prototype 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4-triphenylmethylthiosemicarbazone (H₂L). Within this series the crystal structures of 11 complex compounds [MoO₂(LRⁿ)(dmf)] and [MoO₂(LRⁿ)(MeOH)] were determined showing characteristic differences in the gross structural properties of the central metal core. From the variation of substituents in this ligand library the influences of electronic ligand effects on the spectroscopic, electrochemical, and functional properties of these biomimetic model complexes for molybdenum-containing oxotransferases are reported.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity,and Docking Studies of New Triazolic Tripodal Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of new N‐donor bitriazolic tripods were reported. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of these products were screened against fungal strain (Candida pelliculosa) and against four bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria innocua, and Escherichia coli). Biological data revealed the effect of the chemical structure on antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking studies of some compounds showed that they could act as inhibitors for the biotin carboxylase enzyme.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolones and Pyrazolone Nucleosides

The synthesis of a novel series of 4-arylhydrazono-5-methyl-1,2-dihydropyrazol-3-ones 4a–h, and their N ²-alkyl and acyclo, glucopyranosyl, and ribofuranosyl derivatives is described. K₂CO₃ catalyzed alkylation of 4a–h with allyl bromide, propargyl bromide, 4-bromobutyl acetate, 2-acetoxyethoxymethyl bromide, and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide proceeded selectively at the N ²-position of the pyrazolinone ring. Glycosylation of 4a with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranose under Vorbruggen glycosylation conditions gave the corresponding N ²-4-arylhydrazonopyrazolone ribofuranoside 9a in good yield. Conventional deprotection of the acetyl protected nucleosides furnished the corresponding 4-arylhydrazonopyrazolone nucleosides in good yields. Selected numbers of the newly synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Compounds 4b, 12a, and 14d showed moderate activities against Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp., and Escherichia coli.     

稀土-落叶松单宁配合物的合成及抗真菌活性研究

以稀土(Re~(3+))和落叶松单宁(LT)为原料,采用液相合成法合成了5种廉价的稀土-落叶松单宁(Re~(3+)-LT)配合物,并通过红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、紫外光谱以及配位数测定确定了配合物的结构.采用牛津杯法、琼脂稀释法测定配合物对黑曲霉、红曲霉、白腐菌、毛霉4种真菌的抑制作用.在抑菌方面,5种配合物对上述4种真菌均具有较强的抑制作用,其抑菌活性大小顺序为Ce~(3+)-LTGd~(3+)-LTLa~(3+)-LTNd~(3+)-LTYb~(3+)-LT,其中Ce~(3+)-LT对4种真菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为:1.6、1.6、0.8和1.6 g·L~(-1);Yb~(3+)-LT对4种真菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为:3.2、1.6、3.2和3.2 g·L~(-1).在杀菌方面,Yb~(3+)-LT的杀菌活性最强,其对4种真菌的最小杀菌浓度分别为:6.4、3.2、3.2和6.4 g·L~(-1).此外,尽管Nd~(3+)-LT和Gd~(3+)-LT具有较强的抑菌活性,但对黑曲霉和毛霉的杀菌作用较弱.     

Synthesis,Structure, DNA‐Binding Properties,and Cytotoxicity of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

Many ruthenium(II) complexes show high antitumor activities, and the in vitro antitumor activities are usually related to DNA binding. We designed and synthesized two Ru^II polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(dmp)₂(fpp)]²⁺ (dmp=2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline; fpp=2‐[3,4‐(difluoromethylenedioxy)phenyl]imidazo[4,5‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline and [Ru(phen)₂(fpp)]²⁺ (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline). The DNA‐binding properties of these complexes have been investigated by spectroscopic titration, DNA melting experiments, viscosity measurements, and photoactivated cleavage. The mechanism studies of photocleavage revealed that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide anion radical (O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$ ) may play an important role in the photocleavage. The cytotoxicity of complexes 1 and 2 have been evaluated by MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) method; complex 2 shows slightly higher anticancer potency than 1 does against all the cell lines screened.     

Complexation of 2-hydroxynicotinic and 3-hydroxypicolinic acids with zinc(II). Solution state study and crystal structure of trans-diaqua-bis-(3-hydroxypicolinato)zinc(II)

The interactions between zinc(II) and the two ligands 2-hydroxynicotinic acid (HNic) and 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (HPic) have been investigated by means of potentiometric titrations in aqueous 0.6 m (Na)Cl at 25 °C. In both cases, only mononuclear complexes are formed. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained have been confirmed in part by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The complex trans-diaqua-bis-(3-hydroxypicolinato)zinc(II) was obtained as a crystal and examined by X-ray crystallography. The thermodynamic results allow drawing some conclusions regarding the extent of Zn(II) interference in a hypothetical chelation therapy treatment of aluminium or iron overload with these two ligands.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Some Pyrimidine Glycosides

Reaction of ethyl 4-thioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate derivatives 1a,b and ethyl 4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate 1c with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide in KOH or TEA afforded ethyl 2-aryl-4-(2′,3′,4′,6′-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosylthio or/ oxy)-6-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate 6a-c. The glucosides 6a and 6b were obtained by the reaction of 1a and 1b with peracetylated glucose3 under MW irradiation. Mercuration of 1a followed by reaction with acetobromoglucose gave the same product 6a. The reaction of 1a-c with peracetylated ribose 4 under MW irradiation gave ethyl 2-aryl-4-(2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosylthio)-6-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate 8a–c. The deprotection of 6a–c and 8a–c in the presence of methanol and TEA/H₂O afforded the deprotected products 7a–c and 9a–c. The structure were confirmed by using ¹H and ¹³CNMR spectra. Selected members of these compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity.     

New examples of low-dimensional metal-pydco complexes: Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

This work presents a systematic investigation on coordination chemistry of a novel pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid N-oxide (pydco), and also reveals the significant function of supramolecular interactions in dominating the resultant crystalline nets. Assemblies of pydco with transition-metal ions under similar conditions yield a series of polymers in the absence/presence of the organonitrogen ligands {[Cu(pydco)(L)_0.5(H₂O)] · 2H₂O}_n (L = bipy (1), bpa (2) and bpe (3)), {[M(pydco)(bpp)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O}_n (M = Cu (4) and Ni (5)), [Ag₂(pydco)]_n (6) and [Ag₂Cu(pydco)₂]_n (7) (bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane). 1-5 feature different structural characteristics, although they exhibit analogous chain networks. Remarkably, extended architectures are further constructed with the aid of weak interactions. Reaction of pydco with AgAc yields a 2-D polymer 6, which was reported in our recent Communication. A mixed-metal coordination polymer 7 was obtained by the self-assembly of AgAc, Cu(Ac)₂ · H₂O and pydco.In 7, two left- and right-hand helical chains are constructed by carboxylic groups of pydco and Cu centers, which are further connected by [AgCO₂]₂ cores into a 2-D network. Structural evolution under the co-ligand intervention in this series of compounds, as well as the general coordination rule of pydco, has been further discussed. Furthermore, variable temperature magnetic properties of 1, 3 and 7 are also studied. The magnetic measurements of 1 and 3 reveal the existence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions with J₁ = −4.59 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −4.63 cm⁻¹, respectively. Whereas 7 displays weak ferromagnetic interactions with J₃ = 1.81 cm⁻¹.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Hemi‐Salen Ligands and Their Triboron Complexes: Spectroscopy and Examination of Anticancer Properties

The synthesis, spectroscopic properties, and in vitro cytotoxicity activity of a series of various salen‐based triboron complexes have been designed and prepared from hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and BF₃·Et₂O or BPh₃ under simple reaction conditions. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and their BF₂ or BPh₂ chelating triboron complexes were characterized by means of NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹B) spectra, FT‐IR spectra, UV/VIS spectra, fluorescence spectra, mass spectra, melting point, as well as elemental analysis. The triboron [L _{(1  –  4)} (BF ₂ ) ₃ ] and [L _{(1  –  4)} (BPh ₂ ) ₃ ] complexes were investigated for their absorption and emission properties, and these complexes are also good chelates towards boron(III) fragments such as BF₂ or BPh₂ quantum yield in solution reaching up to 38%. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and their BF₂ or BPh₂ chelating triboron complexes were tested for the in vitro anticancer activity against various cancer and normal cells (HeLa, DLD‐1, ECC‐1, PC‐3, PNT‐1A, and CRL‐4010), and it was found that the cell viability of cancer cells was decreased while most of the healthy cells could still be viable. Also, the cytotoxicity studies showed that anticancer activity of hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands is higher than that of triboron [L _{(1  –  4)} (BF ₂ ) ₃ ] and [L _{(1  –  4)} ( BP h ₂ ) ₃ ] complexes. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands showing the strongest cytotoxic effect in PC ‐3 cells were found to exhibit anticancer activity with apoptosis by increasing the level of ROS in the PC ‐3 cells.