Synthesis of New Organoselenium Compounds: Characterization and Biological Studies

Two new organoselenium analogs, (3,3'-(1,2-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(2-selenoxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3,1-diyl))bis(methylene) dibenzoate (III) and 3,3'-(1,2-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(1-benzyl-1H-imidazole-2(3H)-selenone) (V), were derived from newly synthesized organic salts 1,1'-(1,2-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(3-(2-phenoxyacetyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium) chloride (II) and 1,1'-(1,2-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(3-benzyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) chloride (IV), and each was characterized by various analytical techniques, such as Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–visible, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, as well as Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/Photodiode array (UHPL-MS/PDA). All synthesized compounds were tested for their antioxidant and anticancer potential. Very good radical scavenging results were obtained for salts II and IV, with cell viability values of 84.6±3.5 and 56.7±5.5%, respectively, compared to their organoselenium adducts. All synthesized products showed significant activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, but compounds II and III showed better results, with cell viability values of 40.5±2.0% and 34.4±1.5%, respectively.