A synthetic procedure was designed for the preparation and characterization of Ag and Ru complexes containing NHC ligands functionalized with PEG fragments. Stability studies were conducted to gain insight of the species in water and other solvents like DMSO, or with reagents like imidazole as representative group for histidine amino acid. The presence of Cl atoms instead of H in the 4,5 positions of the N-heterocyclic carbene afforded higher water stability. The complexes containing PEG units must be considered inactive as anticancer agents. To enhance the anticancer activity of PEG-containing complexes, the balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity was adjusted using a silane moiety, and an anionic carbosilane dendrimer as a lipophilic carrier.
Keywords: Imidazolium; NHC; PEG; Ruthenium; Silver; cancer.
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