Research into better cancer treatments has been a progressively growing field. Metal containing coordination compounds offer unique chemistry that could prove useful. A ruthenium(III) compound with two indazole and four chlorine ligands, KP1019, is currently in phase III clinical trials as a pro-drug for the treatment of cancer. Our research delved into creating similar compounds to KP1019 but with cobalt centers instead of ruthenium, and with various nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands.
Starting with cobalt(II) chloride and ligands including: imidazole, pyrimidine, indazole, pyridine, pyrazole, L-histidine or L-tryptophan, we attempted to oxidized the metal center and attach the desired ligands. Each ligand presented its own unique aspects and binding properties. A 4:1 metal to ligand ratio was most commonly used, however this ratio was altered based on the denticity of the specific ligand and our desired binding sites.