Design of biologically active macromolecules based on ferrocene and arene complexes

In this research, a series of novel organoiron compounds, polymers, and dendrimers based on three different moieties of biologically active molecules were synthesized using various synthetic approaches and their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were evaluated in vitro. The structures were confirmed through spectral data and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds (4-27) was investigated and tested against several human pathogens: Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and mycobacterium using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were reported against each pathogen. Cationic organoiron complexes (16-27) showed significantly potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterial compared to reference drugs. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity was also evaluated against HEPG-2, (A549), and MCF-7 cell lines.The compounds exhibited good activity against these cell lines compared to the reference drug. The toxicity of these cationic complexes against human foreskin BJ fibroblast cells was evaluated. A variety of novel functionalized polymers with chromene moieties (29-33) were prepared via nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The structures were confirmed by their spectral data, and the molecular weight was determined by viscosity method. The electrochemical properties, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal stability of the synthesized polymers were studied. All polymers displayed good thermal stability in the range (260-330˚C) following the degradation of the cationic iron moieties. The metal-containing polymers displayed redox activity due to the presence of the iron centres. The antimicrobial activity of these polymeric materials was investigated and tested against five human pathogen Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Some newly prepared polymeric materials exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to reference drugs. The toxicity of these functionalized polymers against human foreskin BJ fibroblast cells, HTB-26, HCT-116, and MCF-7 was evaluated. Sixteen different dendrimers (1-16) containing well-known drugs, paracetamol, and ibuprofen were synthesized via nucloephilic aromatic substitution and addition reactions. The electrochemical properties, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal stability of the dendrimers were studied. All synthesized macromolecular complexes displayed good thermal stability in the range of (250-920˚C). The metal-containing complexes displayed redox activity due to the presence of the iron centres. All newly synthesized dendrimers were tested for in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities. Most of the new tested compounds exhibited significant potent antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacterial strains compared to reference drugs