Synthesis and radioprotective action of silathiazolidines and germathiazolidines

We report on the synthesis and characterization of new sila- and germa-thiazolidines derived from 2-[1-(1-naphthyl)methy]-2-imidazoline. The radioprotective activity was evaluated in mice by intraperitoneal injection.. A notable diminution in the toxicity and increase in radioprotective efficacy were shown for the organometallic derivatives compared with the unsubstituted organic precursors. For some of the cyclic compounds, a delay effect was observed tranducing a slow opening in vivo of the thiazolidine ring. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.