Two novel Co(II) complexes with two different Schiff bases: inhibiting growth of human skin cancer cells.

Using two flexible Schiff bases, H2L1 and H2L2, two new cobalt II (Co(II))-coordination compounds, namely, Py3CoL1 (1) and Py3CoL2 (2) (Py=pyridine, L-1=3,5-ClC6H2(O) C=NC6H3(O)-4-NO2, L-2= 3,5-BrC6H2(O) C=NC6H3(O)-4-NO2) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that compounds 1 and 2 are both six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral geometry, and the 1D chain structure was formed by the pi ... pi and C-H ... O interactions or C-H...Cl interaction. The in vitro antitumor activities of 1, 2 and their corresponding organic ligands Py, L-1, and L-2 were studied and evaluated, in which three human skin cancer cell lines (A-431, HT-144 and SK-MEL-30) were used in the screening tests.