N1 and N3 linkage isomers of neutral and deprotonated cytosine with trans-[(CH3NH2)2PtII

A series of complexes obtained from the reaction of trans-(CH3NH2)2PtII] with unsubstituted cytosine (CH) and its anion (C), respectively, has been prepared and isolated or detected in solution: trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)Cl]Cl.H2O (1), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)2 (1a), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N3)2].2H2O (1b), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)(2).2DMSO (1c), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)2] (NO3)(2).3H2O (2a), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)2].2H2O (2b), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)(CH-N3)](ClO4)2 (3a), trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)(C-N3)] (3b), and trans-Pt(CH3NH2)2(N1-CN3)(N3-C-N1)Cu(OH)]ClO(4).1.2H2O (4). X-ray crystal structures of all these compounds, except 3a and 3b, are reported. Complex 2a is of particular interest in that it contains the rarer of the two 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer forms of cytosine, namely that with the N3 position protonated. Since the effect of PtII on the geometry of the nucleobase is minimal, bond lengths and angles of CH in 2a reflect, to a first approximation, those of the free rare tautomer. Compared to the preferred 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer (N1 site protonated) of CH, the rare tautomer in 2a differs particularly in internal ring angles (7-11 sigma). Formation of compounds containing the rare CH tautomers on a preparative scale can be achieved by a detour (reaction of PtII with the cytosine anion, followed by cytosine reprotonation) or by linkage isomerization (N3-->N1) under alkaline reaction conditions. Surprisingly, in water and over a wide pH range, N1 linkage isomers (3a, 2a) form in considerably higher amounts than can be expected on the basis of the tautomer equilibrium. This is particularly true for the pH range in which the cytosine is present as a neutral species and implies that complexation of the minor tautomer is considerably promoted. Deprotonation of the rare CH tautomers in 2a occurs with pKa values of 6.07 +/- 0.18 (1 sigma) and 7.09 +/- 0.11 (1 sigma). This value compares with pKa 9.06 +/- 0.09 (1 sigma) (average of both ligands) in 1a.