The new complexes [Cu(PPh₃)₂(KTZ)₂]NO₃ (1), [Cu(PPh₃)₂(CTZ)₂]NO₃ (2), [Au(KTZ)₂]Cl (3), [Au(CTZ)₂]Cl (4) and Pt(KTZ)₂Cl₂ (5) were prepared by reaction of KTZ, CTZ (where CTZ: 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)-diphenylmethyl]-1H-imidazole and KTZ: cis-1-acetyl-4-[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]piperazine) and their respective metal salts or metal complexes under mild conditions. They were characterized using NMR, UV-vis and IR spectroscopies, microanalytical analysis and mass spectrometry. Complex (5) was also investigated using computational methods (DFT) to evaluate the geometry configuration around the Pt(II) coordination sphere; the results showed that the trans complex is the most stable one. The antifungal activities of these new compounds 1–5 and some of our reported metal-based azole drug derivatives such as Pt(CTZ)₂Cl₂ (6), [Au(PPh₃)(KTZ)]PF₆ (7) and [Au(PPh₃)(CTZ)]PF₆ (8) were evaluated against sporotrichosis agents (Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix globosa). Their selectivities towards fungal cells were also evaluated. Complexes [Cu(PPh₃)₂(KTZ)₂]NO₃ (1), [Cu(PPh₃)₂(CTZ)₂]NO₃ (2), [Au(PPh₃)(KTZ)]PF₆ (7) and [Au(PPh₃)(CTZ)]PF₆ (8) inhibited fungal growth and killed fungi at concentrations in the nanomolar range and were more active than CTZ or KTZ alone. Microscopy analysis using scanning electron microscopy showed that the complexes 1, 2, 7 and 8 interfered with the cell shape. All the metal–azole complexes tested were more selective for fungi than for mammalian cells and human red blood cells, revealing that they are promising molecules for the development of new antifungal compounds.

Trypanosomatid parasites are responsible for many Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). NTDs are a group of illnesses that prevail in low-income populations, such as in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The three major human diseases caused by trypanosomatids are African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. There are known drugs for the treatment of these diseases that are used extensively and are affordable; however, the use of these medicines is limited by several drawbacks such as the development of chemo-resistance, side effects such as cardiotoxicity, low selectivity, and others. Therefore, there is a need to develop new chemotherapeutic against these tropical parasitic diseases. Metal-based drugs against NTDs have been discussed over the years as alternative ways to overcome the difficulties presented by approved antiparasitic agents. The study of late transition metal-based drugs as chemotherapeutics is an exciting research field in chemistry, biology, and medicine due to the ability to develop multitarget antiparasitic agents. The evaluation of the late transition metal complexes for the treatment of trypanosomatid diseases is provided here, as well as some insights about their mechanism of action.

The new complexes Zn(ITZ) ₂ Cl ₂ (1) and Zn(ITZ) ₂ (OH) ₂ (2) were synthetized by a reaction of itraconazole with their respective zinc salts under reflux. These Zn-ITZ complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, mass spectrometry, ¹ H and ¹³ C{ ¹ H} nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-vis and infrared spectroscopies. The antiparasitic and antifungal activity of Zn-ITZ complexes was evaluated against three protozoans of medical importance, namely, Leishmania amazonensis , Trypanosoma cruzi , and Toxoplasma gondii , and two fungi, namely, Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii .