NMR studies of group 8 metallodrugs: 187Os-enriched organo-osmium half-sandwich anticancer complex.

We report the synthesis of the organo-osmium anticancer complex [Os(η6-p-cym)(N,N-azpy-NMe2)Br]PF6 (1) containing natural abundance 187Os (1.96%), and isotopically-enriched (98%) [187Os]-1. Complex 1 and [187Os]-1 contain a π-bonded para-cymene (p-cym), a chelated 4-(2-pyridylazo)-N,N-dimethylaniline (azpy-NMe2), and a monodentate bromide as ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 confirmed its half-sandwich 'piano-stool' configuration. Complex 1 is a member of a family of potent anticancer complexes, and exhibits sub-micromolar activity against A2780 human ovarian cancer cells (IC50 = 0.40 μM). Complex [187Os]-1 was analysed by high-resolution ESI-MS, 1D 1H and 13C NMR, and 2D 1H COSY, 13C-1H HMQC, and 1H-187Os HMBC NMR spectroscopy. Couplings of 1H and 13C nuclei from the azpy/p-cym ligands to 187Os were observed with J-couplings (1J to 4J) ranging between 0.6-8.0 Hz. The 187Os chemical shift of [187Os]-1 (-4671.3 ppm, determined by 2D 1H-187Os HMBC NMR) is discussed in relation to the range of values reported for related Os(II) arene and cyclopentadienyl complexes (-2000 to -5200 ppm).