Three-Dimensional Ni(II)-MOF Containing an Asymmetric Pyridyl-Carboxylate Ligand: Catalytic Cyanosilylation of Aldehydes and Inhibits Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cancer Cells

A new Ni(II)-based metal–organic framework with the chemical formula of (Me2NH2)[Ni3(L)2(μ3-OH)(H2O)]·2DMF (1) have been designed and synthesized by the reaction of 3-phenylpyridine polycarboxylic (H3L) ligands and Ni(NO3)2·6H2O in a mixed solvent of DMF and water under the solvothermal conditions. The resulting solvent-free 1a was found to be catalytically active for the cyanosilylation reaction of aromatic aldehydes with nitro substituent in varying positions in the presence of trimethylsilyl cyanide to afford cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in a shape and size selective manner. The as-prepared 1 did not exhibit catalytic activities for the same reaction. Based on the experimental results, a possible catalytic mechanism has also been proposed. We next examined the cell viability with CCK-8 assay and the cell proliferation with plate colony formation assay. Both experiments suggested the inhibitory effect of compound 1a on human promyelocytic leukemia cancer HL-60 cells. For the mechanism exploration, the ROS content in HL-60 cancer cells was measured with detection kit, results also indicated the compound 1a increased the level of ROS in HL-60 cells, which may the reason of the compound’s anti-cancer activity.