Synthesis, crystal structures and biological evaluation of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexylthiosemicarbazone and its binuclear copper(II) complex

2-Benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexylthiosemicarbazone (HL) and its binuclear copper(II) complex [Cu2(L)2(CH3COO)](ClO4) (1) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Biological studies, carried out in vitro against human leukemia K562 cells have indicated that 1 indicates significant cytotoxicity with IC50 = 0.37 ± 0.028 μM comparable to cisplatin. Complex 1 promotes a dose-dependent apoptosis in HepG2 cells and the apoptosis is associated with an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).