Yes / To develop potential next-generation metal anticancer agents, we designed and synthesised five Cu(II) 2-pyridine-thiosemicarbazone complexes by modifying the hydrogen atom at the N-4 position of ligands, and then investigated their structure-activity relationships and anticancer mechanisms. Modification of the N-4 position with different groups caused significant differences in cellular uptake and produced superior antitumor activity. Cu complexes arrested the cell cycle at S phase, leading to down-regulation of levels of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinases and up-regulation of expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Cu complexes exerted chemotherapeutic effects via activating p53 and inducing production of reactive oxygen species to regulate expression of the B-cell lymphoma-2 family of proteins, causing a change in the mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c to form a dimer with apoptosis protease activating factor-1, resulting in activation of caspase-9/3 to induce apoptosis. In addition, Cu complexes inhibited telomerase by down-regulating the c-myc regulator gene and expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase. / Natural ScienceFoundation of China (31460232, 21431001, 21561017, 21462004),the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi (2017GXNSFEA198002,AD17129007), IRT_16R15, Guangxi“Bagui”scholar program to HBSun, and High-Level Innovation Team and Distinguished Scholarprogram of Guangxi universities to F Yang.

Neste trabalho estudou-se a formação de complexos da tirosina e de seus dipeptídeos tirosil-glicina e glicil-tirosina com o íon Cu2+. Para a caracterização destes complexos foram utilizadas as técnicas espectroscópicas de Absorção ótica na região do visível (400 a 800 nm), Ressonância paramagnética eletrônica em duas temperaturas (ambiente e &#8764-150&#176C) e a técnica de fluorescência. No caso da tyr os dados experimentais obtidos pela espectroscopia de RPE sugerem a formação de pelo menos duas espécies distintas de complexos além do cobre hidratado. Os complexos propostos foram: o CuL4 (ao redor de pH 3,5) e o CuL2 (na faixa de pH 4,0 e 12,0). Já para os dipeptídeos são evidenciados três tipos diferentes de complexos. São propostos os seguintes complexos: CuL2 (ao redor de pH 4,5), CuL (H2O) (na faixa de pH 7,0 e 12,0) e CuL(OH)22- (acima de pH 12,0). Os espectros de RPE mostram claramente que com o aumento de pH, ocorre a complexação do Cu2+ com os dipeptídeos. Em pHs altos (acima de pH 10,0) surgem nestes espectros uma estrutura superhiperfina de 5 linhas típicas para a coordenação de Cu2+ com dois nitrogênios. Quanto a tirosina, o espectro de seu complexo com Cu2+, não apresenta estrutura superhiperfina, sendo o sinal obtido, típico do complexo com Cu2+. Da mesma forma que foi observado por RPE, pode-se observar pelos espectros óticos, que em pHs baixos (2,0 a 3,5) para os dipeptídeos, os espectros apresentam uma banda larga e mal-resolvida, característica do íon de Cu2+ livre em solução. Observou-se também um deslocamento do máximo das bandas para o azul, apresentando características típicas das transições d-d correspondentes às várias espécies de complexos do metal em equilíbrio. Os dados de fluorescência foram muito informativos. As titulações da tyr e dos dipeptídeos puros em função do pH permitiram a determinação dos valores de pKs dos grupos ionizáveis. O efeito de supressão de fluorescência devido ao paramagnetismo do cobre foi usado tanto para a determinação da estequiometria quanto para a determinação das constantes de associação dos complexos dos dipeptídeos com Cu2+ em dois pHs fixos (pH 7,0 e 9,0). Encontrou-se complexos com a seguinte estequiometria (ligante/metal) : 2:1 e 1:1 respectivamente para a tyr e para os dipeptídeos nestes pHs. Um modelo simples de equilíbrio foi desenvolvido e estimou-se as constantes de associação da ordem de 107M-1 para os complexos de dipeptídeos- Cu2+. / The main goal of this work was to study the formation of the complexes of tyrosine and its dipeptides tyrosil-glycil and glycil-tyrosine with the transition metal íon Cu2+. The characterization of these complexes was performed through the use of spectroscopic techniques: optical absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance at both room temperature and -150&#176C and fluorescence emission. The EPR spectroscopy suggested for tyrosine two distints species. The following complexes were proposed: CuL4 (pH 3,5) and CuL2 (in the range of pH between 4,0-12,0). Three different complexes were evidentiated for dipeptides- Cu2+: CuL2 (pH 4,5); CuL(H2O) (in the range of pH between 7,0-12,0) and CuL(OH)22- (above pH 12,0). EPR spectra shows clearly the complexation of Cu2+ to the dipeptides. Both at intermediate and high pHs and specially above pH 10,0 a superhyoerfine structure of five lines typical for coordination of copper to two nitrogens was observed. In the case of the aminoacid no superhyperfine structure is observed. EPR data suggest that in a wide pH range between 7,0 and 11,0 the complex formed by the dipeptides was CuL(H2O). Electronic optical absorption was measured at room temperature as a function of pH in the range 2,0-13,0. It was observed that at low pHs (2,0 3,5) the spectra for the dipeptides was characterized by a broad not well resolved band around 800 nm characteristic of hidrated free Cu2+ in water solution. EPR spectra are in agreement with this observation. Increase of pH leads to a blue shift in the absorption band maximum and as a consequence to typical spectra for d-d transitions of the various species of complexes of cooper in equilibrium in solution. Fluorescence data were also very informative. The pure tyr and dipeptides tritation allowed to determine pKs values of ionizable groups. The effect of fluorescence suppression due to paramagnetic copper was used both to establish the stoichiometry of the complexes and the association constants. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined as 2:1 and 1:1 ligand:metal for tyrosine and the dipeptides respectively at pH 7,0 and pH 9,0. A simple equilibrium model was developed and the association constants for the Cu2+ dipeptides complexes at pH 7,0 and pH 9,0 were estimated to be around 107M-1.

A comparative investigation of electrochemical characteristics of two complex systems, viz. Cu|Cu(II), glycine and Cu|Cu(II), maleic acid, was carried out. The equations were obtained for quantitative description of pH-metric and spectrophotometric data, which were used for determination of equilibrium characteristics in Cu(II)-maleic acid solutions. Thermodynamic analysis shows that deep changes are possible in this system resulting in 90 % transform of Cu(II) into Cu(I). The rates of Cu corrosion and Cu2O formation are estimated to be of the same order (nmol cm-2 s-1). Regularities of formal electrochemical kinetics, which account for the mass transport of chemically interacting particles and for step-wise charge transfer process, are suitable for interpretation of voltammetric data of the Cu|Cu(II), glycine system. Kinetic parameters Cu(II) glycinate complex depend on the nature of the supporting electrolyte: the exchange current density decreases and the cathodic charge transfer coefficient increases in the sequence: Li+ - Na+ - K+ - Cs+. To enhance the Cu(I) generation in maleic acid system, the pre-electrolysis procedure was applied. It was found that its effect depends on solution pH. Applied theoretical model describes satisfactorily the steady-state voltammetric characteristics of Cu|Cu(II), maleic acid system, but some contradictory results were obtained in the case of time-dependent processes. Theoretical and experimental problems to be solved are discussed. / Atliktas palyginamasis dviejų kompleksinių sistemų - Cu|Cu(II), glicinas ir Cu|Cu(II), maleino rūgštis - elektrocheminių charakteristikų tyrimas. Nustatytos maleino rūgšties tirpalų pusiausvyrinės charakteristikos. Kiekybiniam titravimo kreivių aprašymui išvestos lygtys, kuriose įvertinti medžiagų bei krūvių balansai bei atsižvelgta į praskiedimo efektus. Jų taikymas pH-metrinių duomenų analizei davė tokias maleato anijonų protonizacijos konstantų reikšmes: log = 6,05, log = 7,48. Nustatyta, kad tirpaluose su 0,3 M K2SO4 priedu protonizuotų ligando formų stabilumas sumažėja (log = 5,75, log = 7,30). Cu(II) maleatinių kompleksų stabilumui nustatyti panaudotas spektrofotometrijos metodas ir pasiūlyta duomenų analizės procedūra. Ji remiasi kiekybiniu absorbcijos spektrų aprašymu, taikant lygtis, išplaukiančias iš valdomo harmoninio osciliatoriaus teorijos. Išanalizavus įvairių sudėčių tirpalų absorbcijos maksimumo dydžius, prieita išvados, kad rūgščiose terpėse vyrauja monoligandinis kompleksas, kurio koncentracinė stabilumo konstanta log b1 = 2,2. Atlikta sistemos Cu|Cu(II), maleino rūgštis pusiausvyrų termodinaminė analizė. Nustatyta, kad esant metalinio vario ir tirpalų sąlyčiui, sistemoje galimi gilūs virsmai, kurių metu iki 90 % Cu(II) transformuojasi į Cu(I). Teorines išvadas patvirtina eksperimentiniai duomenys, gauti spektrofotometrijos ir elektrocheminės kvarco kristalo mikrogravimetrijos metodais. Įvertinti Cu korozijos bei fazinių Cu2O sluoksnių susidarymo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Neste trabalho estudou-se a formação de complexos da tirosina e de seus dipeptídeos tirosil-glicina e glicil-tirosina com o íon Cu2+. Para a caracterização destes complexos foram utilizadas as técnicas espectroscópicas de Absorção ótica na região do visível (400 a 800 nm), Ressonância paramagnética eletrônica em duas temperaturas (ambiente e &#8764-150&#176C) e a técnica de fluorescência. No caso da tyr os dados experimentais obtidos pela espectroscopia de RPE sugerem a formação de pelo menos duas espécies distintas de complexos além do cobre hidratado. Os complexos propostos foram: o CuL4 (ao redor de pH 3,5) e o CuL2 (na faixa de pH 4,0 e 12,0). Já para os dipeptídeos são evidenciados três tipos diferentes de complexos. São propostos os seguintes complexos: CuL2 (ao redor de pH 4,5), CuL (H2O) (na faixa de pH 7,0 e 12,0) e CuL(OH)22- (acima de pH 12,0). Os espectros de RPE mostram claramente que com o aumento de pH, ocorre a complexação do Cu2+ com os dipeptídeos. Em pHs altos (acima de pH 10,0) surgem nestes espectros uma estrutura superhiperfina de 5 linhas típicas para a coordenação de Cu2+ com dois nitrogênios. Quanto a tirosina, o espectro de seu complexo com Cu2+, não apresenta estrutura superhiperfina, sendo o sinal obtido, típico do complexo com Cu2+. Da mesma forma que foi observado por RPE, pode-se observar pelos espectros óticos, que em pHs baixos (2,0 a 3,5) para os dipeptídeos, os espectros apresentam uma banda larga e mal-resolvida, característica do íon de Cu2+ livre em solução. Observou-se também um deslocamento do máximo das bandas para o azul, apresentando características típicas das transições d-d correspondentes às várias espécies de complexos do metal em equilíbrio. Os dados de fluorescência foram muito informativos. As titulações da tyr e dos dipeptídeos puros em função do pH permitiram a determinação dos valores de pKs dos grupos ionizáveis. O efeito de supressão de fluorescência devido ao paramagnetismo do cobre foi usado tanto para a determinação da estequiometria quanto para a determinação das constantes de associação dos complexos dos dipeptídeos com Cu2+ em dois pHs fixos (pH 7,0 e 9,0). Encontrou-se complexos com a seguinte estequiometria (ligante/metal) : 2:1 e 1:1 respectivamente para a tyr e para os dipeptídeos nestes pHs. Um modelo simples de equilíbrio foi desenvolvido e estimou-se as constantes de associação da ordem de 107M-1 para os complexos de dipeptídeos- Cu2+. / The main goal of this work was to study the formation of the complexes of tyrosine and its dipeptides tyrosil-glycil and glycil-tyrosine with the transition metal íon Cu2+. The characterization of these complexes was performed through the use of spectroscopic techniques: optical absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance at both room temperature and -150&#176C and fluorescence emission. The EPR spectroscopy suggested for tyrosine two distints species. The following complexes were proposed: CuL4 (pH 3,5) and CuL2 (in the range of pH between 4,0-12,0). Three different complexes were evidentiated for dipeptides- Cu2+: CuL2 (pH 4,5); CuL(H2O) (in the range of pH between 7,0-12,0) and CuL(OH)22- (above pH 12,0). EPR spectra shows clearly the complexation of Cu2+ to the dipeptides. Both at intermediate and high pHs and specially above pH 10,0 a superhyoerfine structure of five lines typical for coordination of copper to two nitrogens was observed. In the case of the aminoacid no superhyperfine structure is observed. EPR data suggest that in a wide pH range between 7,0 and 11,0 the complex formed by the dipeptides was CuL(H2O). Electronic optical absorption was measured at room temperature as a function of pH in the range 2,0-13,0. It was observed that at low pHs (2,0 3,5) the spectra for the dipeptides was characterized by a broad not well resolved band around 800 nm characteristic of hidrated free Cu2+ in water solution. EPR spectra are in agreement with this observation. Increase of pH leads to a blue shift in the absorption band maximum and as a consequence to typical spectra for d-d transitions of the various species of complexes of cooper in equilibrium in solution. Fluorescence data were also very informative. The pure tyr and dipeptides tritation allowed to determine pKs values of ionizable groups. The effect of fluorescence suppression due to paramagnetic copper was used both to establish the stoichiometry of the complexes and the association constants. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined as 2:1 and 1:1 ligand:metal for tyrosine and the dipeptides respectively at pH 7,0 and pH 9,0. A simple equilibrium model was developed and the association constants for the Cu2+ dipeptides complexes at pH 7,0 and pH 9,0 were estimated to be around 107M-1.

Os fármacos antiinflamatórios não-esteróides (FAINEs) são amplamente utilizados no combate a processos inflamatórios e dores, mas apresentam restrição de uso em razão de sérios efeitos colaterais sobre o trato gastrointestinal. A atividade biológica de complexos metálicos tem sido objeto de pesquisa de grande interesse na área de metalofármacos e compostos do tipo Cu(II)-FAINEs apresentam boa atividade antiinflamatória e efeitos colaterais reduzidos em relação aos fármacos orgânicos. Nesse trabalho, com o objetivo de contribuir para ampliar os estudos sobre o desenvolvimento de alternativas aos FAINEs, foram preparados e caracterizados complexos cobre(lI) com ibuprofeno, indometacina, naproxeno, sulindaco, meloxicam. Os compostos foram imobilizados em Hidrotalcita, um hidróxido duplo lamelar (HDL) de magnésio e alumínio (Mg/AI = 3) que é biocompatível e tem uso como antiácido estomacal. As interações dos metalofármacos com o HDL geraram materiais híbridos bioinorgânicos do tipo Cu-FAINElHDL, nos quais os complexos podem estar presentes de duas maneiras: intercalados entre as Ia meias ou adsorvidos nas superfícies externas do hidróxido duplo lamelar, dependendo do solvente utilizado. A intercalação de complexos neutros é favorecida em solvente misto álcooVamida no qual a Hidrotalcita sofre esfoliação promovida por um processo de hidrólise da amida. A estabilidade alguns dos complexos e dos materiais híbridos em condições gástricas simuladas (pH e temperatura) e as atividades antiinflamatória, analgésica e ulcerogênica in vivo dos sistemas contendo indometacina (Indo) foram investigadas. A intercalação do complexo Cu-Indo no HDL favorece sua estabilização, contribuindo para potencializar a sua atividade farmacolágica. Os materiais híbridos bioinorgânicos obtidos neste trabalho apresentam propriedades interessantes com vistas a potencial aplicação como sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos. / Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely consumed to treat inflammatory diseases and pain but their clinical use are limited due to serious side-effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The bioactivity of metal complexes exhibits great interest in metal-based drug research. Cu(II)-NSAID compounds show good anti-inflammatory property and decreased side-effects compared to their organic parent drugs. This work aimed to contribute for development of alternative NSAIDs. Cu-NSAlD compounds containing the drugs Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Sulindac and Meloxicam were synthesized and characterized. The compounds were also immobilized on Hydrotalcite, a layered double hydroxide (LDH) of magnesium and aluminum (Mg/Al = 3), that is biocompatible and used as stomach antacid. The interactions of the copper drugs with LDH led to Cu-NSAID/LDH- bioinorganic hybrid materiais. Two kinds of complex-LDH interactions were observed by changing the solvent: intercalation between LDH layers or adsorption on the LDH external surfaces. The intercalation of neutral complexes is favored in an alcohollamide solvent mixture where Hydrotalcite undergoes exfoliation process promoted by the amide hydrolysis. The stability of some complexes and their correspondent hybrid materials under gastric conditions (pH and temperature) and also in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic and ulcerogenic activities for Indomethacin (Indo)-containing systems were investigated. The stabilization of the Cu-Indo structure is promoted by intercalation of the complex into the LDH layers, contributing to increase its pharmacological activity. The bioinorganic hybrid materials here investigated also exhibit interesting properties for applications as controlled drug delivery systems.

Os fármacos antiinflamatórios não-esteróides (FAINEs) são amplamente utilizados no combate a processos inflamatórios e dores, mas apresentam restrição de uso em razão de sérios efeitos colaterais sobre o trato gastrointestinal. A atividade biológica de complexos metálicos tem sido objeto de pesquisa de grande interesse na área de metalofármacos e compostos do tipo Cu(II)-FAINEs apresentam boa atividade antiinflamatória e efeitos colaterais reduzidos em relação aos fármacos orgânicos. Nesse trabalho, com o objetivo de contribuir para ampliar os estudos sobre o desenvolvimento de alternativas aos FAINEs, foram preparados e caracterizados complexos cobre(lI) com ibuprofeno, indometacina, naproxeno, sulindaco, meloxicam. Os compostos foram imobilizados em Hidrotalcita, um hidróxido duplo lamelar (HDL) de magnésio e alumínio (Mg/AI = 3) que é biocompatível e tem uso como antiácido estomacal. As interações dos metalofármacos com o HDL geraram materiais híbridos bioinorgânicos do tipo Cu-FAINElHDL, nos quais os complexos podem estar presentes de duas maneiras: intercalados entre as Ia meias ou adsorvidos nas superfícies externas do hidróxido duplo lamelar, dependendo do solvente utilizado. A intercalação de complexos neutros é favorecida em solvente misto álcooVamida no qual a Hidrotalcita sofre esfoliação promovida por um processo de hidrólise da amida. A estabilidade alguns dos complexos e dos materiais híbridos em condições gástricas simuladas (pH e temperatura) e as atividades antiinflamatória, analgésica e ulcerogênica in vivo dos sistemas contendo indometacina (Indo) foram investigadas. A intercalação do complexo Cu-Indo no HDL favorece sua estabilização, contribuindo para potencializar a sua atividade farmacolágica. Os materiais híbridos bioinorgânicos obtidos neste trabalho apresentam propriedades interessantes com vistas a potencial aplicação como sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos. / Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely consumed to treat inflammatory diseases and pain but their clinical use are limited due to serious side-effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The bioactivity of metal complexes exhibits great interest in metal-based drug research. Cu(II)-NSAID compounds show good anti-inflammatory property and decreased side-effects compared to their organic parent drugs. This work aimed to contribute for development of alternative NSAIDs. Cu-NSAlD compounds containing the drugs Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Sulindac and Meloxicam were synthesized and characterized. The compounds were also immobilized on Hydrotalcite, a layered double hydroxide (LDH) of magnesium and aluminum (Mg/Al = 3), that is biocompatible and used as stomach antacid. The interactions of the copper drugs with LDH led to Cu-NSAID/LDH- bioinorganic hybrid materiais. Two kinds of complex-LDH interactions were observed by changing the solvent: intercalation between LDH layers or adsorption on the LDH external surfaces. The intercalation of neutral complexes is favored in an alcohollamide solvent mixture where Hydrotalcite undergoes exfoliation process promoted by the amide hydrolysis. The stability of some complexes and their correspondent hybrid materials under gastric conditions (pH and temperature) and also in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic and ulcerogenic activities for Indomethacin (Indo)-containing systems were investigated. The stabilization of the Cu-Indo structure is promoted by intercalation of the complex into the LDH layers, contributing to increase its pharmacological activity. The bioinorganic hybrid materials here investigated also exhibit interesting properties for applications as controlled drug delivery systems.

In this work were synthesized and studied four new coordination compounds of copper(II) with phenylseleninato ligand, three of them polymeric and one molecular. The reaction of phenylseleninic acid with copper(II) acetate led to microcrystalline light blue powder of polymeric compound catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2], 1. That powder was used to obtain crystalls of 1 and three others: catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2(NH3)], 2, obtained by the dissolution of 1 in dmf and aqueous ammonia, catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2(NC5H5)]·NC5H5, 3, obtained by the dissolution of 1 in pyridine and aqueous ammonia, and poli-[Cu(O2SePh)2(NH3)2(H2O)2], 4, obtained by the dissolution of 1 in water and aqueous ammonia. Compound 1 is a two-dimensional coordination polymer with layers formed by the phenylseleninato double bridges between copper(II) units. The copper(II) centers in the same layer form a (4,4) net topology. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of the crystalline sample of 1 was carried out on a SQUID magnometer and strong ferromagnetic coupling was verified between 10 and 6.3 K. Below 6.3 K was verified a weak antiferromagnetic interactions between partially ordered ferromagnetic layers. All the new compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 have supramolecular nature due to hydrogen bonds in those structures. Only compound 3 is a one-dimensional coordination polymer. / Neste trabalho foram sintetizados e estudados quatro novos compostos de coordenação de cobre(II) com o ligante fenilseleninato, três deles poliméricos e um molecular. A reação do ácido fenilselenínico com acetato de cobre(II) originou um pó microcristalino e azul-claro, referente ao composto polimérico catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2], 1. Esse foi o composto de partida para a obtenção de cristais de 1, além da obtenção de outros três compostos cristalinos: catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2(NH3)], 2, obtido pela dissolução de 1 em dmf e amônia aquosa; catena-poli-[Cu(μ2-O2SePh)2(NC5H5)]·NC5H5, 3, obtido pela dissolução de 1 em piridina e amônia aquosa; e [Cu(O2SePh)2(NH3)2(H2O)2], 4, obtido a pela dissolução de 1 em água e amônia aquosa. O composto 1 é um polímero bidimensional em camadas formadas pelo centro metálico e o ligante, no qual os centros de cobre(II) são conectados por pontes duplas de fenilseleninato. Esses centros distribuem-se nas camadas com uma topologia de rede (4,4). Estudos de propriedades magnéticas com um magnetômetro do tipo SQUID evidenciaram fortes interações ferromagnéticas entre 10 e 6,3 K, quando ocorre uma transição antiferromagnética, com queda brusca dos valores do inverso da susceptibilidade magnética, provavelmente por interações antiferromagnéticas entre os planos de Cu(II) paralelos. Todos os novos compostos foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X, espectroscopia de infravermelho e análise elementar. A instabilidade e decomposição, por perda de solvente, das estruturas 2 e 4 impediram estudos de magnetismo, porém a elucidação de suas estruturas cristalinas evidenciaram a existência de interessante caráter supramolecular devido a presença do ligante NH3, em 2, e NH3 e H2O, em 3. As ligações de hidrogênio nesses compostos mostraram-se importantes na manutenção de suas estruturas no estado sólido, assim como na formação de camadas com topologia de rede (4,4). Somente o composto 3 mostrou-se como um polímero de coordenação unidimensional.

The present thesis deals with different aspects of the chemistry and photo-biology of various ferrocene-conjugated metal complexes, their interaction with double helical DNA, DNA photocleavage and photo-enhanced cytotoxicity in visible light. Phenyl analogues of the active complexes have been synthesized and used for comparison in biological assays. Chapter I provides an introduction to the potential of metal complexes as photochemotherapeutic agents with special reference to organometallic compounds. A brief overview of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as a new modality of cancer treatment has been given. Various modes of non-covalent interactions of small molecules with duplex DNA are mentioned. Recent reports on the metal-based photocytotoxic and DNA cleaving agents including photoactivatable organometallic compounds are discussed. The objective of the present investigation is also presented in this chapter. Chapter II presents the synthesis, characterization, structure, DNA binding, DNA photocleavage, photocytotoxicity, mechanism of cell death and cellular localization of ferrocene-conjugated L-methionine reduced Schiff base Cu(II) complexes of phenanthroline bases. To explore the role of the ferrocenyl moiety the phenyl analogues of the ferrocenyl complexes are synthesized and used as controls for comparison purpose. Chapter III deals with the photo-induced DNA cleavage and photo-enhanced cytotoxicity of ferrocene-appended L-tryptophan Cu(II) complexes of heterocyclic bases. The synthesis, characterization, structural comparisons, DNA binding, DNA photocleavage, photocytotoxic activity and cell death mechanism in visible light are discussed in detail. Chapter IV describes the synthesis, characterization and structure of ferrocenylmethyl-L-tyrosine Cu(II) complexes of phenanthroline bases. The complexes are evaluated for DNA binding, DNA photocleavage and photocytotoxic activity in visible light. The cellular localization of the complexes and the mechanism of cell death induced by the complexes are also discussed. Chapter V presents the photocytotoxic effect of ferrocene-conjugated L-amino acid reduced Schiff base Cu(II) complexes of anthracenyl/pyrenyl imidazophenanthroline. The ability of the complexes to bind to double helical DNA and cleave it under photo-illumination conditions is described. Evaluation of the complexes as photochemotherapeutic agents and comparison with currently clinically available drug Photofrin are presented. The mechanism of cancer cell death and cellular localization of the complexes are studied by fluorescence microscopy. Chapter VI describes the synthesis, characterization and photochemotherapeutic efficacy of Cu(II) complexes having ferrocene-appended L-amino acid reduced Schiff base ligands and the naturally occurring polyphenol curcumin. Stabilization of curcumin by complexation to metal for improved photodynamic effect in cancer cells is described with comparison to the parent dye and clinically used drug Photofrin. The mechanism of cell death induced by the copper complexes and their localization in cancer cells are also presented. Finally, the summary of the dissertation and conclusions drawn from the present investigations are presented. The references in the text have been indicated as superscript numbers and compiled at the end of each chapter. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the structurally characterized complexes are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any unintentional omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is regretted.