Synthesis, structures, and selective toxicity to cancer cells of gold(I) complexes involving N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.

New gold(I) complexes containing two 1-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]imidazolydene ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray structures of two key compounds are presented. All complexes have been tested for their antiproliferative activities in prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Lipophilicity (Log P) has been determined for these complexes. The most active complex has been tested for the cytotoxic activities in five human cancer cell lines and primary endothelial cells. The most active complex demonstrated a potent selectivity for cancer cells.