Synthesis and spectral characterization of some metal complexes with new heterocyclic azo imidazole dye ligand and study biological activity as anticancer

• Diazo-coupling was used to synthesize the heterocyclic azo dye ligand. • Newly synthesized compounds have been confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques. • Biological assessment of ligand with metal complexes. • In A172 cells, ligand and Au(III)-complex improved cell proliferation The complexation of Cu(II), Ag(I)and Au(III) ions studied with new synthesized azo imidazole ligand (ClPA1-MeI) which prepared by coupling reaction between 2-] 2′ - (4 - Chloro Phenyl)azo [- 1 - Methyl imidazole, whereas these compounds characterized by 1 H and 13 C- NMR, UV-Vis, Mass, Infrared spectrum, SEM, X-ray diffraction studies and molar conductance. The studies show that the azo dye ligand has a tridentate structure and coordinates to the metal ion through the nitrogen atom of the azo group, which is the furthest away from the imidazole molecule, the nitrogen atom of the azomethine group of the heterocyclic imidazole ring, and the phenolic oxygen. Furthermore, MTT assays were used to test the anticancer properties of synthesized azo dye ligand and Au (III) complexes against brain cancer (A172) cell lines, and the results revealed that the prepared compounds exhibited good anticancer properties and are very promising candidates for future applications in anti-tumor drugs.