A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Cisplatin: Investigating the Intracellular Reduction of Platinum(IV) Prodrug Complexes

The Pt^IV prodrug strategy has emerged as an excellent alternative to tackle the problems associated with conventional Pt^II drug therapy. However, there is a lack of tools to study how this new class of Pt^IV drugs are processed at the cellular level. Herein, we report the first ratiometric probe for cisplatin detection and use it to investigate Pt^IV anticancer complexes in biological systems. The probe was able to distinguish between cisplatin and its Pt^IV derivatives, allowing us to probe the intracellular reduction of Pt^IV prodrug complexes. The correlation between the amount of active Pt^II species available after intracellular reduction of Pt^IV complexes and their cytotoxicity and the role glutathione plays in the reduction of Pt^IV complexes were investigated.     

Photolysis and Thermolysis of Platinum(IV) 2,2′‐Bipyridine Complexes Lead to Identical Platinum(II)–DNA Adducts

Two Pt^IV and two Pt^II complexes containing a 2,2′‐bipyridine ligand were treated with a short DNA oligonucleotide under light irradiation at 37 °C or in the dark at 37 and 50 °C. Photolysis and thermolysis of the Pt^IV complexes led to spontaneous reduction of the Pt^IV to the corresponding Pt^II complexes and to binding of Pt^II 2,2′‐bipyridine complexes to N7 of guanine. When the reduction product was [Pt(bpy)Cl₂], formation of bis‐oligonucleotide adducts was observed, whereas [Pt(bpy)(MeNH₂)Cl]⁺ gave monoadducts, with chloride ligands substituted in both cases. Neither in the dark nor under light irradiation was the reductive elimination process of these Pt^IV complexes accompanied by oxidative DNA damage. This work raises the question of the stability of photoactivatable Pt^IV complexes toward moderate heating conditions.     

A Multi‐action and Multi‐target RuII–PtIV Conjugate Combining Cancer‐Activated Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy to Overcome Drug Resistant Cancers

Pt^II complexes are commonly used to treat cancer. To reduce their side effects and improve their pharmacological properties, Pt^IV complexes are being developed as prodrug candidates that are activated by reduction in cancer cells. Concomitantly, Ru^II polypyridine complexes have gained much attention as photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy due to their attractive characteristics. In this article, a novel Pt^IV–Ru^II conjugate, which combines cancer activated chemotherapy with PDT, is presented. Upon entering the cancer cell, the Pt^IV centre is reduced to Pt^II and the axial ligands including the Ru^II complex and phenylbutyrate are released. As each component has its individual targets, the conjugate exerts a multi‐target and multi‐action effect with (photo‐)cytotoxicity values upon irradiation up to 595 nm in the low nanomolar range in various (drug resistant) 2D monolayer cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumour spheroids.     

Dual‐Targeting Dual‐Action Platinum(IV) Platform for Enhanced Anticancer Activity and Reduced Nephrotoxicity

A novel and highly efficient dual‐targeting platform was designed to ensure targeted in vivo delivery of dual‐action Pt^IV prodrugs. The dual targeting was established by liposomal encapsulation of Pt^IV complexes, thereby utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect as the first stage of targeting to attain a high accumulation of the drug‐loaded liposomes in the tumor. After the release of the Pt^IV prodrug inside cancer cells, a second stage of targeting directed a portion of the Pt^IV prodrugs to the mitochondria. Upon intracellular reduction, these Pt^IV prodrugs released two bioactive molecules, acting both on the mitochondrial and on the nuclear DNA. Our Pt^IV system showed excellent activity in vitro and in vivo, characterized by a cytotoxicity in a low micromolar range and complete tumor remission, respectively. Notably, marked in vivo activity was accompanied by reduced kidney toxicity, highlighting the unique therapeutic potential of our novel dual‐targeting dual‐action platform.     

A one‐dimensional iodine‐bridged PtII/PtIV mixed‐valence complex,catena‐poly[[[bis­(ethyl­ene­diamine)­platinum(II)]‐μ‐iodo‐[bis­(ethyl­ene­di­amine)platinum(IV)]‐μ‐iodo] hydrogenphosphate dihydrogenphosphate iodide trihydrate]

The title compound, {[Pt^IIPt^IVI₂(C₂H₈N₂)₄](HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)I·3H₂O}_n, has a chain structure composed of square‐planar [Pt(en)₂]²⁺ and elongated octa­hedral trans‐[PtI₂(en)₂]²⁺ cations (en is ethyl­ene­diamine) stacked alternately along the c axis and bridged by the I atoms; a three‐dimensionally valence‐ordered system exists with respect to the Pt sites. The title compound also has a unique cyclic tetra­mer structure composed of two hydrogenphosphate and two dihydrogenphosphate ions connected by strong hydrogen bonds [O⋯O = 2.522 (10), 2.567 (10) and 2.569 (11) Å]. The Pt and I atoms form a zigzag ⋯I—Pt^IV—I⋯Pt^II⋯ chain, with Pt^IV—I bond distances of 2.6997 (7) and 2.6921 (7) Å, inter­atomic Pt^II⋯I distances of 3.3239 (8) and 3.2902 (7) Å, and Pt^IV—I⋯Pt^II angles of 154.52 (3) and 163.64 (3)°. The structural parameters indicating the mixed‐valence state of platinum, expressed by δ = (Pt^IV—I)/(Pt^II—I), are 0.812 and 0.818 for the two independent I atoms.     

A one‐dimensional platinum mixed‐valence complex with bridging thiocyanate S atoms: [[PtII(en)2](μ‐SCN)[PtIV(en)2](μ‐SCN)](ClO4)4 (en is ethane‐1,2‐diamine)

A new one‐dimensional platinum mixed‐valence complex with nonhalogen bridging ligands, namely catena‐poly[[[bis(ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N,N′)platinum(II)]‐μ‐thiocyanato‐κ²S:S‐[bis(ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N,N′)platinum(IV)]‐μ‐thiocyanato‐κ²S:S] tetrakis(perchlorate)], {[Pt₂(SCN)₂(C₂H₈N₂)₄](ClO₄)₄}_n, has been isolated. The Pt^II and Pt^IV atoms are located on centres of inversion and are stacked alternately, linked by the S atoms of the thiocyanate ligands, forming an infinite one‐dimensional chain. The Pt^IV—S and Pt^II...S distances are 2.3933 (10) and 3.4705 (10) Å, respectively, and the Pt^IV—S...Pt^II angle is 171.97 (4)°. The introduction of nonhalogen atoms as bridging ligands in this complex extends the chemical modifications possible for controlling the amplitude of the charge‐density wave (CDW) state in one‐dimensional mixed‐valence complexes. The structure of a discrete Pt^IV thiocyanate compound, bis(ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N,N′)bis(thiocyanato‐κS)platinum(IV) bis(perchlorate) 1.5‐hydrate, [Pt(SCN)₂(C₄H₈N₂)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.5H₂O, has monoclinic (C2) symmetry. Two S‐bound thiocyanate ligands are located in trans positions, with an S—Pt—S angle of 177.56 (3)°.     

A one‐dimensional chloride‐bridged PtII/PtIV mixed‐valence complex with a 4‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]benzenesulfonate counter‐ion

The title compound, catena‐poly[[[bis(ethylenediamine‐κ²N,N′)platinum(II)]‐ μ‐chlorido‐[bis(ethylenediamine)platinum(IV)]‐μ‐chlorido] tetrakis{4‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]benzenesulfonate} dihydrate], {[Pt^IIPt^IVCl₂(C₂H₈N₂)₄](HOC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄SO₃)₄·2H₂O}_n, has a linear chain structure composed of square‐planar [Pt(en)₂]²⁺ (en is ethylenediamine) and elongated octahedral trans‐[PtCl₂(en)₂]²⁺ cations stacked alternately, bridged by Cl atoms, along the b axis. The Pt atoms are located on an inversion centre, while the Cl atoms are disordered over two sites and form a zigzag ...Cl—Pt^IV—Cl...Pt^II... chain, with a Pt^IV—Cl bond length of 2.3140 (14) Å, an interatomic Pt^II...Cl distance of 3.5969 (15) Å and a Pt^IV—Cl...Pt^II angle of 170.66 (6)°. The structural parameter indicating the mixed‐valence state of the Pt atom, expressed by δ = (Pt^IV—Cl)/(Pt^II...Cl), is 0.643.     

On the Stability of PtIV Pro‐Drugs with Haloacetato Ligands in the Axial Positions

The design of Pt^IV pro‐drugs as anticancer agents is predicated on the assumption that they will not undergo substitution reactions before entering the cancer cell. Attempts to improve the cytotoxic properties of Pt^IV pro‐drugs included the use of haloacetato axial ligands. Herein, we demonstrate that Pt^IV complexes with trifluoroacetato (TFA) or dichloroacetato (DCA) ligands can be unstable under biologically relevant conditions and readily undergo hydrolysis, which results in the loss of the axial TFA or DCA ligands. The half‐lives for Pt^IV complexes with two TFA or DCA ligands at pH 7 and 37 °C range from 6 to 800 min, which is short relative to the duration of cytotoxicity experiments that last 24–96 h. However, complexes with two monochloroacetato (MCA) or acetato axial ligands are stable under biologically relevant conditions. The loss of the axial ligands depends primarily on the electron‐withdrawing strength of the axial ligands, but also upon the nature of the equatorial ligands. We were unable to find obvious correlations between the structures of the Pt^IV complexes and the rates of decay of the parent compounds. The X‐ray crystal structures of the bis‐DCA and bis‐MCA Pt^IV derivatives of oxaliplatin did not reveal any significant structural differences that could explain the observed differences in stability.     

Photoinduced Reduction of PtIV within an Anti‐Proliferative PtIV–Texaphyrin Conjugate

In an effort to increase the stability and control the platinum reactivity of platinum–texaphyrin conjugates, two Pt^IV conjugates were designed, synthesized, and studied for their ability to form DNA adducts. They were also tested for their anti‐proliferative effects using wild‐type and platinum‐resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and 2780CP, respectively). In comparison to an analogous first‐generation Pt^II chimera, one of the new conjugates provided increased stability in aqueous environments. Using a combination of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and FAAS (flameless atomic‐absorption spectrometry), it was found that the Pt^IV center within this conjugate undergoes photoinduced reduction to Pt^II upon exposure to glass‐filtered daylight, resulting in an entity that binds DNA in a controlled manner. Under conditions in which the Pt^IV complex is reduced to the corresponding Pt^II species, these new conjugates demonstrated potent anti‐proliferative activity in both test ovarian cancer cell lines.     

Observation of the Properties of a Single Unit of a Limited CDW Structure in a PtII/PtIV Host–Guest Binary System Based on a Square‐Shaped Complex

A macrocyclic tetranuclear platinum(II) complex [Pt(en)(4,4′‐bpy)]₄(NO₃)₈ ( 1 ?(NO₃)₈; en=ethylenediamine, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) and a mononuclear platinum(IV) complex [Pt(en)₂Br₂]Br₂ ( 2 ?Br₂) formed two kinds of Pt^II/Pt^IV mixed valence assemblies when reacted: a discrete host–guest complex 1 ? 2 ?Br₁₀ ( 3 ) and an extended 1‐D zigzag sheet 1 ?( 2 )₃?Br₈(NO₃)₆ ( 4 ). Single crystal X‐ray analysis showed that the dimensions of the assemblies could be stoichiometrically controlled. Resonance Raman spectra suggested the presence of an intervalence interaction, which is typically observed for quasi‐1‐D halogen‐bridged M^II/M^IV complexes. The intervalence interaction indicates the presence of an isolated {Pt^II???X? Pt^IV? X???Pt^II} moiety in the structure of 4 . On the basis of electronic spectra and polarized reflectance measurements, we conclude that 4 exhibits intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands. A Kramers–Kronig transformation was carried out to obtain an optical conductivity spectrum, and two sub‐bands corresponding to slightly different Pt^II–Pt^IV distances were observed.     

Coordination Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Nitrenium‐Based Ligands

Comprehensive studies on the coordination properties of tridentate nitrenium‐based ligands are presented. N‐heterocyclic nitrenium ions demonstrate general and versatile binding abilities to various transition metals, as exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of Rh^I, Rh^III, Mo⁰, Ru⁰, Ru^II, Pd^II, Pt^II, Pt^IV, and Ag^I complexes based on these unusual ligands. Formation of nitrenium–metal bonds is unambiguously confirmed both in solution by selective ¹⁵N‐labeling experiments and in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. The generality of N‐heterocyclic nitrenium as a ligand is also validated by a systematic DFT study of its affinity towards all second‐row transition and post‐transition metals (Y–Cd) in terms of the corresponding bond‐dissociation energies.     

Supramolecular Polymers Self‐Assembled from trans‐Bis(pyridine) Dichloropalladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes

Two structurally similar trans‐bis(pyridine) dichloropalladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐type complexes were synthesized and characterized. They both self‐assemble in n‐hexane to form viscous fluids at lower concentrations, but form metallogels at sufficient concentrations. The viscous solutions were studied by capillary viscosity measurements and UV/Vis absorption spectra monitored during the disassembly process indicated that a metallophilic interaction was involved in the supramolecular polymerization process. For the two supramolecular assemblies, uncommon continuous porous networks were observed by using SEM and TEM revealed that they were built from nanofibers that fused and crosslinked with the increase of concentration. The xerogels of the palladium and platinum complexes were carefully studied by using synchrotron radiation WAXD and EXAFS. The WAXD data show close stacking distances driven by π–π and metal–metal interactions and an evident dimer structure for the platinum complex was found. The coordination bond lengths were extracted from fitting of the EXAFS data. Moreover, close Pt^II–Pt^II (Pd^II–Pd^II) and Pt?Cl (Pd?Cl) interactions proposed from DFT calculations in the reported oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)‐based palladium(II) pyridyl supramolecular polymers were also confirmed by using EXAFS. The Pt^II–Pt^II interaction is more feasible for supramolecular interaction than the Pd^II–Pd^II interaction in our simple case.     

A Dogma in Doubt: Hydrolysis of Equatorial Ligands of PtIV Complexes under Physiological Conditions

Due to their high kinetic inertness and consequently reduced side reactions with biomolecules, Pt^IV complexes are considered to define the future of anticancer platinum drugs. The aqueous stability of a series of biscarboxylato Pt^IV complexes was studied under physiologically relevant conditions. Unexpectedly and in contrast to the current chemical understanding, especially oxaliplatin and satraplatin complexes underwent fast hydrolysis in equatorial position (even in cell culture medium and serum). Notably, the resulting hydrolysis products strongly differ in their reduction kinetics, a crucial parameter for the activation of Pt^IV drugs, which also changes the anticancer potential of the compounds in cell culture. The discovery that intact Pt^IV complexes can hydrolyze at equatorial position contradicts the dogma on the general kinetic inertness of Pt^IV compounds and needs to be considered in the screening and design for novel platinum‐based anticancer drugs.     

Solvent-specific reduction of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>PtI<Subscript>6</Subscript> in acetone

Oxidation state of iodide complexes of Pt^II and Pt^IV in large excess of NaI with respect to platinum in water and acetone solution has been determined by means of ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopy. In acetone, iodide complexes of Pt^IV are almost quantitatively reduced into Pt^II, and iodine is bound in a poorly soluble polymeric complex with sodium iodide and acetone. Iodometric titration has revealed the formation of equivalent amount of iodine. Reduction of platinum has not been observed in aqueous medium.     

Employing Aryl‐Linked Bis‐mesoionic Carbenes as a Pincer‐Type Platform to Access Ambient‐Stable Palladium(IV) Complexes

The study of palladium(IV) species has great implications for Pd^II/Pd^IV‐mediated catalysis. However, most of the Pd^IV complexes rapidly decompose under ambient conditions, which makes the isolation, characterization and further reactivity study very challenging. The reported ancillary ligand platforms to stabilize Pd^IV species are dominated by chelating N‐donors such as bipyridines. In this work, we present two Pd^IV complexes with scarcely used C‐donors as the supporting platform. The anionic aryl donor and MIC (MIC=mesoionic carbene) are combined in a [CC′C]‐type pincer framework to access a series of ambient‐stable Pd^IV tris(halido) complexes. Their synthesis, solid‐state structures, stability, and reactivity are presented. To the best of our knowledge, the work presented herein reports the first isolated Pd^IV–MIC as well as the first Pd^IV carbene‐based aryl pincer.     

Luminescent Cyclometalated Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes with a Tridentate Pyridine‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, Electrochemistry,Photophysics, and Computational Studies

A new class of luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) complexes with a tridentate pyridine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine) ligand, [Pt^II(C^N^C)(C?CR)][PF₆], and their chloroplatinum(II) precursor complex, [Pt^II(C^N^C)Cl][PF₆], have been synthesized and characterized. One of the alkynylplatinum(II) complexes has also been structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The electrochemistry, electronic absorption and luminescence properties of the complexes have been studied. Nanosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has also been performed to probe the nature of the excited state. The origin of the absorption and emission properties has been supported by computational studies.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characteristics of σ-vinyl derivatives of platinum(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">IV</Emphasis>) chloride complexes

A procedure was developed for the synthesis of previously unknown β-chlorovinyl derivatives of Pt^IV chloride complexes by chloroplatination of terminal alkynes catalyzed by Pt^II chloride complexes. The reaction is highly stereoselective and gives only the products of trans-anti-addition of platinum and chlorine atoms. The regioselectivity of the catalytic reaction formally corresponds to Markovnikov’s rule, e.g., in alkynes containing electron-donating substituents, platinum attacks the terminal carbon atom. The σ-vinyl derivatives of Pt^IV chloride complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2380–2384, October, 2005.     

A Multi-action and Multi-target RuII–PtIV Conjugate Combining Cancer-Activated Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy to Overcome Drug Resistant Cancers

Pt^II complexes are commonly used to treat cancer. To reduce their side effects and improve their pharmacological properties, Pt^IV complexes are being developed as prodrug candidates that are activated by reduction in cancer cells. Concomitantly, Ru^II polypyridine complexes have gained much attention as photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy due to their attractive characteristics. In this article, a novel Pt^IV–Ru^II conjugate, which combines cancer activated chemotherapy with PDT, is presented. Upon entering the cancer cell, the Pt^IV centre is reduced to Pt^II and the axial ligands including the Ru^II complex and phenylbutyrate are released. As each component has its individual targets, the conjugate exerts a multi-target and multi-action effect with (photo-)cytotoxicity values upon irradiation up to 595 nm in the low nanomolar range in various (drug resistant) 2D monolayer cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumour spheroids.     

Platinum (IV) Derivatives with Cinnamate Axial Ligands as Potent Agents Against Both Differentiated and Tumorigenic Cancer Stem Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells

To design an anticancer drug capable of inhibiting not only the proliferation of the differentiated tumor cells but also reducing the tumorigenic capability of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the new Pt^IV prodrugs with axial cinnamate ligands were synthesized. We demonstrate their superior antiproliferative activity in monolayer and 3D spheroid antiproliferative activity tests using panel of cancer cell lines. An outstanding activity was found against rhabdomyosarcoma cells, one of the most problematic and poorly treatable pediatric tumors. The results also suggest that the released Pt^II compound inhibits antiproliferative activity of cancer cells by DNA‐damage mediated mechanism; the released cinnamic acid can trigger processes leading to differentiation, making the CSCs more sensitive to killing by the platinum part of the complex. Pt^IV complex with axial cinnamate ligands is the first Pt^IV prodrug capable of overcoming CSCs resistance and induce death in both CSCs and bulk cancer.     

Anticancer Potencies of PtII‐ and PdII‐linked M2L4 Coordination Capsules with Improved Selectivity

Pt^II‐ and Pd^II‐linked M₂L₄ coordination capsules, providing a confined cavity encircled by polyaromatic frameworks, exhibit anticancer activities superior to cisplatin against two types of leukemic cells (HL‐60 and SKW‐3) and pronounced toxicity against cisplatin‐resistant cells (HL‐60/CDDP). Notably, the cytotoxic selectivities of the Pt^II and Pd^II capsules toward cancerous cells are up to 5.3‐fold higher than that of cisplatin, as estimated through the non‐malignant/malignant‐cells toxicity ratio employing normal kidney cells (HEK‐293). In addition, the anticancer activity of the coordination capsules can be easily altered upon encapsulation of organic guest molecules.