Strong Cytotoxicity of Organometallic Platinum Complexes with Alkynyl Ligands

The synthesis, spectroscopy, structures, and chemical reactivity of the organometallic complexes [(COD)­Pt­(CCR)2] and [(COD)­Pt­(CCR)­(R′)] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, R = Ph, (Me)­Ph (2Me, 3Me, or 4Me), (NO2)­Ph (2NO2, 3NO2, or 4NO2), (4F)­Ph, (4OMe)­Ph, 2Py (2-pyridyl); R′ = Me (methyl), Neop (neopentyl = 2,2-dimethyl-1-methyl), NeoSi (neosilyl = trimethylsilylmethyl), Bz (benzyl)) has been explored. The crystal structures reveal square-planar surroundings of the Pt atoms with short Pt–C­(alkynyl) bonds (1H, 13C, 195Pt, and 19F) NMR spectroscopy reveals structures in solution and Pt–ligand bond strength. The thermal stability in organic solvents, the electrochemical stability, and the reactivity of the complexes in organic or aquatic (water-containing) solution toward the physiologically relevant species glutathione, chloride, and protons was tested, revealing remarkable stability or inertness of the complexes. Cytotoxicity experiments in HT-29 colon carcinoma and MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines revealed highly promising activities for selected platinum alkynyl COD complexes.