Two Co(II) and Zn(II) coordination polymers: structural characterization and anticancer activity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma

By employing a mixed-ligand strategy, two new coordination polymers with the chemical formulae [Co(4-bptzh)(1,3-BDC)] (1) and [Zn(4-bptzp)(1,3-BDC)]n (2) are hydrothermally synthesized using two flexible bis(pyridyl-tetrazole) ligands (4-bptzh = 1,4-bis(5-(4-pyridyl)tetra­zolyl)hexane, 4-bptzp = 1,4-bis(5-(4-pyridyl)tetrazolyl)propane) and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,3-H2BDC). Both complexes are characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction along with the elemental analysis. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of compounds 1 and 2 against CNE-1 nasopharyngeal cancer cells are evaluated in vitro. Firstly, the antiproliferation activity of compounds 1 and 2 against cancer cells is assessed by the CCK-8 assay. Then, the cancer cell apoptosis is measured with the Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis assay by flow cytometry.