Vanadium (IV) metallocene complexes having spermicidal activity

Abstract

Novel spermicidal compounds which are organometallic cyclopentadienyl metal complexes, particularly vanadium IV complexes, are described including corresponding contraceptive and therapeutic compositions and method for providing contraception and selective killing of testicular germ cells. Included among the vanadium complexes are vanadocene dichloride, vanadocene dibromide, bis (methyl cyclopentadienyl) vanadium dichloride, vanadocene diiodide, vanadocene di-pseudohalides, and others. Most active found was vanadocene diselenocyanate.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A method of selectively killing testicular germ cells comprising contacting said testicular germ cells with an organometallic cyclopentadienyl vanadium IV complex.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said testicular germ cells comprise normal testicular germ cells.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said testicular germ cells comprise testicular germ cell tumors.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of contacting said testicular germ cell with said organometallic cyclopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is accomplished via intratesticular injection.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compound of formula I  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compound of formula II  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compound of formula III  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compund of formula (IV)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compund of formula (V)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said organometallic cylcopentadienyl vanadium IV complex is a compound of formula (VI)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.