Our research group is focused on the synthesis of ferrocenyl chalcone derivatives, with a special interest in their wide range of biological activity.  Due to their low toxicity to healthy cells, they have potential as antioxidant and anti-cancer agents.  These derivatives are related to Ferroquine, one of the first organometallic compounds to reach clinical trials.  Bringing promising results with biomedical application, novel ferrocenyl chalcone derivatives were previously synthesized in our laboratory, with ammonium and pyridinium substituents, and quaternized to produce salts with improved aqueous solubility.  Some showed good potential as antioxidants.  After the formation of these alkylsulfate salts, this project aims to evaluate the effect that different counterions exert on the biological activity of the compounds.  Selection of counterions is an important step in the drug development pipeline, as most approved compounds are in salt form, and because counterions can significantly affect the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients.  To achieve our specific aim, salts paired with halides and selected organic counterions have been prepared through ion exchange chromatography.  This selection was based on the previously reported biological activity of the free acid forms of the counterions.  The exchanges have been confirmed through <sup>1</sup>H and <sup>13</sup>C-NMR, and, in some cases, via X-Ray diffraction crystallography.  The products have been evaluated for their antioxidant activity, in comparison to the corresponding alkylsulfate salts.  Future works include the completion of the biological assays regarding the anticancer activity of the salts.  The results of this project could lead to the selection of the optimal counterions, towards the possible oral administration of these ferrocenyl chalcone salt derivatives.  This would represent an easy method of administration, for the treatment of diseases in low-resource settings.

Selection of the optimal counterion of ferrocenyl chalcone salt derivatives to enhance their biological activity

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.