Systematic differences in electrochemical reduction of the structurally characterized anti-cancer platinum(IV) complexes [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}-(pyridine)2Cl2], [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)2], and [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)Cl].

The putative platinum(IV) anticancer drugs, [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)XY] (X,Y=Cl, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (1a), C(6)F(5) (1b); X,Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (2); X=Cl, Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (3), py = pyridine) have been prepared by oxidation of the Pt(II) anticancer drugs [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)] (R=p-HC(6)F(4) (4a) or C(6)F(5) (4b)) with PhICl(2) (1a,b), H(2)O(2) (2) and PhICl(2)/Bu(4)NOH (3). NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2 and 3 show that they have octahedral stereochemistry with the X,Y ligands in the trans-position. The net two electron electrochemical reduction of 1a, 2 and 3 has been studied by voltammetric, spectroelectrochemical and bulk electrolysis techniques in acetonitrile.

The direct mapping of the uptake of platinum anticancer agents in individual human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells using a hard X-ray microprobe.

Uptake of platinum-based anticancer compounds into individual human ovarian andenocarcinoma cells was measured using an X-ray microprobe. The uptake of cisplatin, a platinum-based compound, in drug-resistant cells is decreased by approximately 50% after 24 h, compared with the uptake of the drug in nonresistant cells over the same time period. The Pt103 derivative of the drug, in contrast, showed an increased uptake by an order of magnitude in resistant cells over the same time period.