Structure–activity relationship disturbed by a solvolytic process: Study on the [Cu(II)-4-nitropyridine N-oxide derivative] system

Abstract The chelate complex [CuCl 2 ( L )] where L  = 2-methylamino-3-methyl-4-nitropyridine- N -oxide has been obtained and characterized, both physicochemically (by the X-ray structure analysis of the complex and the ligand, FTIR, EPR and electronic spectroscopy, and thermal analysis) and cytotoxically (MCF-7, A549, SW707, P388, Balb3T3). In solution, atypically for chelate complexes, it undergoes rapid solvolysis forming various 6- (or 5) and 4-coordinate species, depending upon the solvent. Such rapid decomposition may indicate a catalytic effect of the copper operating in the system. However, the cytotoxic activity in solution for the new copper chelate complex appeared to be a surprisingly low. Thus, before drawing any conclusions on the structure–activity relationship, one must carefully check the chemical identity of the compound(s) in both phases.