Synthesis and Biological Studies of Cationic Organoiron Star-Shaped Dendrimers Attached with Ketoprofen and Mefenamic Acid at the Peripheries

The design of new star-shaped dendrimers with ketoprofen and mefenamic acid at the periphery was achieved using the divergent method. The use of cationic cyclopentadienyliron moieties coupled with the introduction of ketoprofen and mefenamic acid to the dendrimer allowed to produce dendrimeric materials that possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The dendrimers' compositions were analyzed through FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, all synthesized dendrimers exhibited exceptional thermal stability within the 300 – 350oC range, with the cationic iron moieties breaking down at around 200oC. The surface morphology of the dendrimers was examined using Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) with no significant change between the three generations in the morphology. In addition, the electrochemical properties were also analyzed by Cyclic voltammetry (CV). The redox wave intensity and broadness showed changes as the dendrimer generation increased. These dendrimers were tested for their in vitro toxicities in mammalian cell lines, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities and displayed positive results.