Synthesis, structures, DNA-binding and anticancer activities of some copper(I)-phosphine complexes

Copper(I) complexes with a phenanthroline-phosphine set of ligands were synthesized by refluxing methanolic solutions of CuBr2 with at least a four fold molar excess of the phosphine ligands, followed by the treatment of the formed {CuBr(PR3)3 complexes [R = phenyl (1a), 4-fluorophenyl (1b), cyclohexyl (1c) or 4-methoxyphenyl (1d)]} with 1 molar equivalent of 1,10-phenanthroline in DCM. The tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine ligand afforded the...