Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
Published on: May 28, 2014
Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of novel platinum(II) iodido complexes
Aleksandar Savić1, Lana Filipović2, Sandra Aranđelović2
1Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Abstract:
Novel Pt(II) complexes of general formula [PtI2(L(1-3))], (C1-C3): where L(1-3) are isobutyl, n-pentyl and isopentyl esters of (S,S)-1,3-propanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV/Vis, IR, ((1)H, (13)C and HSQC, Pt) NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic data and computational studies have shown the usual square planar coordination geometry of synthesized complexes, with coordination of ligands via nitrogen donor atoms. The cytotoxic activity of novel ligands and corresponding complexes were investigated on a palette of different cells line. Complexes C1-C3 exhibited activity comparable to cisplatin, with IC50 values (μM) ranging from 4.6 ± 0.6 to 17.2 ± 2, and showed the highest potential in HeLa, LS-174 and EA.hy.926 cells. Ligands L1-L3 exhibited two- to four-times less activity than corresponding complexes. Analysis of the mode of action in HeLa cells, by ICP-MS study, showed markedly higher intracellular accumulation and DNA binding affinity of C1-C3 versus cisplatin, after 4 h and 20 h post-treatment. Annexin-V-FITC assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy study demonstrated occurrence of cell death through both apoptotic and necrotic changes. Tested complexes, at corresponding IC50 concentrations, caused considerable "sub-G1" peak, without other substantial alterations of cell cycle, while only C1 induced higher level of phosphatidylserine externalization (11.7%), comparing to ligand L1 (4.9%) and cisplatin (8.4%). Structure-activity comparison indicated variations of C1-C3 cytotoxicity, related to the drug/ligand lipophilicity (C log P value), while intracellular platinum content and DNA platination increased on increase of length and branching of ester chain, in sequence: C1 (isobutyl) < C2 (n-pentyl) < C3 (isopentyl).
Related Concept Videos
Stereoisomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly,...
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis

