Crystal and molecular structure of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (NIH) and its iron(III) complex: an iron chelator with anti-tumour activity

Abstract

 Previous studies have demonstrated that 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (NIH) and several other aroylhydrazone chelators possess anti-neoplastic activity due to their ability to bind intracellular iron. In this study we have examined the structure and properties of NIH and its Fe^III complex in order to obtain further insight into its anti-tumour activity. Two tridentate NIH ligands deprotonate upon coordination to Fe^III in a meridional fashion to form a distorted octahedral, high-spin complex. Solution electrochemistry of [Fe(NIH–H)₂]⁺ shows that the trivalent oxidation state is dominant over a wide potential range and that the Fe^II analogue is not a stable form of this complex. The fact that [Fe(NIH–H)₂]⁺ cannot cycle between the Fe^II and Fe^III states suggests that the production of toxic free-radical species, e.g. OH^. or O₂ ^{. –}, is not part of this ligand's cytotoxic action. This suggestion is supported by cell culture experiments demonstrating that the addition of Fe^III to NIH prevents its anti-proliferative effect. The chemistry of this chelator and its Fe^III complex are discussed in the context of understanding its anti-tumour activity.