Light yellow to yellow-brown crystalline powder
5-Nitro-1,10-phenanthroline complexes of iron find wide applications in redox titrations. It is used as a precursor for the synthesis of 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-isothiocyanato-1,10-phenanthroline.
Platinum chelates of a variety of 5-substituted phenanthrolines, including this compound, were tested for cytotoxicity against L1210 murine leukemia cells. Though all tested compounds had very similar DNA-binding affinities, they exhibited a wide range of cytotoxicity.
Crystallise the phenanthroline from *benzene/pet ether, until anhydrous. It also crystallises from H2O with m 202o, and EtOAc with m 203o. Its pK2 5 varies from 3.20 to 2.69 with varying MeOH/H2O ratios from 0 to 0.95 moles/L, and from 3.20 to 1.95 in varying EtOH/H2O ratios from 0 to 0.94 moles/L [Ram et al. J Prakt Chem 319 719 1977]. It forms complexes with Cu2+, Zn2+, In2+, Fe2+ , Co2+, Ni2+ . [Beilstein 23 III/IV 1682, 23/8 V 425.]
