Synthesis, antitumor, and antibacterial activity of bis[4,5-diarylimidazol-2-ylidene]methane derivatives.

Cationic [bis(1,3-diethyl-4,5-diarylimidazol-2-ylidene)]Au(I) bromide complexes have demonstrated considerable potential as new antitumor agents. In order to investigate whether the gold is crucial for the antitumor activity, the imidazole ligands were connected by a methylene bridge. Biological evaluation revealed that bis[1,3-diethyl-4,5-diarylimidazol-2-ylidene]methane compounds exhibited growth inhibition effects against mammary (MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231) and colon (HT-29) carcinoma cell lines. In comparison with gold complexes, the methylene derivatives showed drastically reduced cell growth inhibitory properties. However, the growth of bacteria was significantly inhibited by bis[1,3-diethyl-4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]methane dibromide (4) and opens a new application of this compound type.