Synthesis and Characterication of Triphenylgermanium Heterocyclic Carboxylates

Eight new triphenylgermanium heterocyclic carboxylates PlijGeO2CR were synthesized by the reaction of triphenylgermanium chloride with sodium heterocyclic carboxylate, (Ph3GeCl+ RCO2Na→Ph3GeO2CR). Their structures were established by elementary analysis, IR, 1H NMR and MS spectroscopy. The IR spectra showed that in complexes 1- 8 the carboxyl groups were bidentate ligands. The complexes 1,3,6 and 7 give a very strong peak Ph3Ge+ at m/z = 305 as base peak in mass spectra. The complexes (1 - 8) were tested in vitro against two human tumour cell lines, MCF- 7, a mammary tumour, and WiDr, a colon carcinoma. They all display high activity in vitro, much better than cis - platin or triphenylgermanium chloride.