Synthesis and anticancer activities of some metal complexes involving N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

In this study, a series of novel copper(I)-NHC and silver(I)-NHC complexes were synthesized. Copper and silver-NHC complexes were synthesized by reacting metal sources with imidazolium salts in the presence of a mild base. The ligands and complexes were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The Cu(I) and Ag(I)-NHC complexes were tested against breast cancer cells MCF7. The results showed that Cu(I) and Ag(I)-NHC complexes have promising effects as antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells compared with normal cells.