One pot synthesis of two potent Ag(I) complexes with quinoxaline ligand, X-ray structure, Hirshfeld analysis, antimicrobial, and antitumor investigations

Abstract In one pot, the self-assembly of AgNO3 and 2-chloroquinoxaline (2Cl-quinox) in water–ethanol mixture afforded two novel crystalline Ag(I) complexes. The major product is the polymeric complex [Ag(2Cl-quinox)(NO3)]n; (1), while the minor product (2) comprises two molecules which are the monomeric [Ag(2Cl-quinox)2(NO3)]; (2a) and polymeric [Ag(2Cl-quinox)(NO3)]n; (2b) complexes. The single crystal X-ray structure revealed that 1 and 2b are made up of two-dimensional infinite sheets. In contrast, 2a is a monomeric complex which has a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry around Ag(I) center. In all cases, the 2Cl-quinox molecule acts as a terminal monodentate ligand. Complexes 1 and 2b have similar molecular structures and also have almost similar crystal packing. Using Hirshfeld surface analysis, the O…H hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions contributed significantly to the molecular packing. Both complexes have broad-spectrum action towards multi drug-resistance bacteria. The most effective function of 2 is against Proteus morganii, with a MIC value of 8 μg/mL. Complex 2 (IC50 = 5.93 ± 0.52 μg/mL) has remarkably greater cytotoxic effect against lung carcinoma (A-549) than cis-platin (IC50 = 7.5 ± 0.69 μg/mL) and AgNO3 (IC50 = 14.7 ± 0.53 μg/mL). The higher Ag-content in 2 could be the main reason for its higher cytotoxicity than 1.