Synthesis, characterization and anticancer activity of a series of curcuminoids and their half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes

A series of curcuminoids (L1–L7) and their corresponding (η6-p-cymene)RuII(Cur)Cl complexes (1–7) were synthesized and characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of L2, L4, 1 and 4 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The stability of 1–7 was investigated by monitoring their UV profiles. The compounds were further evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against the HepG2 human liver and HeLa human cervical cancer cell lines and HEK-293 T noncancerous cell line.