Cytotoxic activity of cerium complexes with coumarin derivatives. Molecular modeling of the ligands.

Cerium complexes of Umbellipherone, Mendiaxon, Warfarin, Coumachlor, and Niffcoumar have been synthesized by reaction of the ligands with cerium nitrate in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:2. The formation of the complexes has been proved on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivities, IR spectroscopy, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The molecules of the ligands were optimized by means of the semiempirical quantum mechanical method PM3 to the energetically most stable conformers. All the ligands were characterized by molecular and submolecular electronic indices and the putative donor centers are proposed. It is concluded that the lactone- and the keto-carbonyl groups of Warfarin, Coumachlor, and Niffcoumar are bonded to the metal ion as bidentate ligands. The other two coumarins are bonded as monodentate ligands. Conductivity measurements show the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. Cytotoxic screening by MTT assay was carried out. The cerium complexes were found to be more active than the inorganic salts.