Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Luminescent Property and Anti‐esophageal Tumor Activity of Dinuclear Zinc Complex Based on meso ‐1,2,3,4‐Tetra(1H‐benzo[ d ]imidazol‐2‐yl)butane

The complex [Zn 2 (tbb)Cl 4 ] · 4DMF [tbb = meso ‐1,2,3,4‐tetra(1H–benzo‐[ d ]imidazol‐2‐yl)butane] was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analyses [C 44 H 54 N 12 Cl 4 O 4 Zn 2 , M r = 1087.53, crystal system, monoclinic, space group, P 2 1 / n , a = 9.2307(12), b = 11.3748(14), c = 23.874(3) Å, β = 90.480(2)°]. In the complex, one meso ‐1,2,3,4‐tetra(1H‐benzo‐[ d ]imidazol‐2‐yl)butane coordinates two zinc ions. Both the zinc ions are coordinated in a tetrahedral fashion by two nitrogen atoms of tbb and two chloride ions. The complex emits blue luminescence in DMF solution and exhibits inhibition on the growth of Eca109 cancer cell with IC 50 of 22.1 ± 6.7 μM, which was lower than that of cisplatin (62.5 ± 12.4 μM) and ligand (tbb) (24.7 ± 7.8 μM). This complex has potential application in treatment of esophageal cancer.