A copper(II) complex of a semicarbazone: crystal structure, spectroscopic analysis and cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines

A Cu(II) complex of 2-hydroxyacetophenone N(4)-phenyl semicarbazone (H2L) has been prepared, and its crystal structure is reported. The single-crystal X-ray study reveals a dimeric structure with a distorted square planar coordination geometry around each copper atom, with an ONO-donor ligand and µ2-oxo group located between the two copper atoms. The secondary coordination sphere of Cu(II) is six-coordinate, with a NO3 − ion and methanol solvent molecule making weak interactions. Supramolecular interactions involving the adjacent complexes were investigated. The complex [Cu(HL)]2(CH3OH)2(NO3)2 was also characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The biological activity of the free semicarbazone and its Cu(II) complex were evaluated by cytotoxicity assays against human cancer cell lines. A dimeric stable complex between copper(II) and semicarbazone ligand has been synthesized, and the crystal structure has been studied. Spectroscopy experiments and cytotoxicity assays against human cancer cell lines were performed.