Palladium(II) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione

Two new palladium(II) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione(mpyh) were synthesized: cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O and cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O. The molecular formulae of the complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectra and DTA study. The ligand is coordinated to the palladium ion with N-atom of the pyridine ring. The spectroscopic data indicate a square planar geometry with two N-pyridine atoms and two halogene anions in cis position. The final product of the thermal decomposition of cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O is metallic Pd, whereas for cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O the residue consists of metallic Pd and C. The cytotoxic effects of the complexes were examined in vitro on some human tumor cell lines. The cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O proved to be more active as compared to the cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O.     

Simple Electrodeposition of Dendritic Pd Without Supporting Electrolyte and Its Electrocatalytic Activity Toward Oxygen Reduction and H2O2 Sensing

Metallic palladium (Pd) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) oxidation/reduction are prepared via electroplating on a gold metal substrate from dilute (5 to 50 mM) aqueous K₂PdCl₄ solution. The best Pd catalyst layer possessing dendritic nanostructures is formed on the Au substrate surface from 50 mM Pd precursor solution (denoted as Pd‐50) without any additional salt, acid or Pd templating chemical species. The Pd‐50 consisted of nanostructured dendrites of polycrystalline Pd metal and micropores within the dendrites which provide high catalyst surface area and further facilitate reactant mass transport to the catalyst surface. The electrocatalytic activity of Pd‐50 proved to be better than that of a commercial Pt (Pt/C) in terms of lower overpotential for the onset and half‐wave potentials and a greater number of electrons (n) transferred. Furthermore, amperometric i–t curves of Pd‐50 for H₂O₂ electrochemical reaction show high sensitivities (822.2 and ?851.9 µA mM^?1 cm^?2) and low detection limits (1.1 and 7.91 µM) based on H₂O₂ oxidation H₂O₂ reduction, respectively, along with a fast response (<1 s).     

Silicon–oxygen bonding on diphenylsilane through palladium(II)‐catalysed reactions

The reactions of phenols with diphenylsilane are catalysed by palladium(II) catalysts such as Pd(TMEDA)Cl₂ (TMEDA = tetramethylethylenediamine), Pd(DEED)Cl₂ (DEED = N,N′‐diethylethylenediamine), Pd(TEEDA)Cl₂ (TEEDA = N,N′‐tetraethylethylenediamine) or PdCl₂ to form hydrated silanols with molecular formula Ph₂Si(OR)OH·nH₂O (when R = C₆H₅, n = 3; when R = p‐CH₃C₆H₄ or o‐CH₃C₆H₄, n = 1). The reaction of hydroquinone with diphenylsilane in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(TMEDA)Cl₂ forms an Si–O‐bonded hydrated aggregate of composition [(C₆H₅)₂Si(OC₆H₄O).0.5H₂0] _n. p‐Benzoquinone reacted with diphenylsilane in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(TMEDA)Cl₂ and the reaction proceeded via a multiple pathway involving quinhydrone as an intermediate charge‐transfer complex which reacted further with diphenylsilane to give a linear siloxane. Copyright ­© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogenolysis of Dinuclear PCNR Ligated PdII μ-Hydroxides and Their Mononuclear PdII Hydroxide Analogues

The hydrogenolysis of mono- and dinuclear Pd^II hydroxides was investigated both experimentally and computationally. It was found that the dinuclear μ-hydroxide complexes {[(PCN^R)Pd]₂(μ-OH)}(OTf) (PCN^H=1-[3-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]phenyl]-1H-pyrazole; PCN^Me=1-[3-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole) react with H₂ to form the analogous dinuclear hydride species {[(PCN^R)Pd]₂(μ-H)}(OTf). The dinuclear μ-hydride complexes were fully characterized, and are rare examples of structurally characterized unsupported singly bridged μ-H Pd^II dimers. The {[(PCN^Me)Pd]₂(μ-OH)}(OTf) hydrogenolysis mechanism was investigated through experiments and computations. The hydrogenolysis of the mononuclear complex (PCN^H)Pd-OH resulted in a mixed ligand dinuclear species [(PCN^H)Pd](μ-H)[(PCC)Pd] (PCC=a dianionic version of PCN^H bound through phosphorus P, aryl C, and pyrazole C atoms) generated from initial ligand “rollover” C−H activation. Further exposure to H₂ yields the bisphosphine Pd⁰ complex Pd[(H)PCN^H]₂. When the ligand was protected at the pyrazole 5-position in the (PCN^Me)Pd−OH complex, no hydride formed under the same conditions; the reaction proceeded directly to the bisphosphine Pd⁰ complex Pd[(H)PCN^Me]₂. Reaction mechanisms for the hydrogenolysis of the monomeric and dimeric hydroxides are proposed.     

Reactivity of ortho‐Substituted Aryl–Palladium Complexes towards Carbodiimides,Isothiocyanates, Nitriles,and Cyanamides

Complexes [Pd(C₆H₃XH‐2‐R′‐5)Y(N^N)] (X=O, NH; Y=Br, I; R′=H, NO₂; N^N=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dtbbpy)) react with RN?C?E (E=NR, S) or RC≡N (R=alkyl, aryl, NR′′₂) and TlOTf (OTf=CF₃SO₃) to give, respectively, 1) products of the insertion of the C?E group into the C? Pd bond, protonation of the N atom, and coordination of X to Pd, [Pd{κ²‐X,E‐(XC₆H₃{EC(NHR)}‐2‐R′‐4)}(N^N)]OTf or [Pd(κ²‐X,N‐{ZC₆H₃(NH?CR)‐2‐R′‐4})(N^N)]OTf, or products of the coordination of carbodiimides and OH addition, [Pd{κ²‐C,N‐(C₆H₄{OC(NR)}NHR‐2)}(bpy)]OTf; or 2) products of the insertion of the C≡N group to Pd and N‐protonation, [Pd(κ²‐X,N‐{XC₆H₃(NH?CR)‐2‐R′‐4})(N^N)]OTf.     

Synthesis of palladium(II) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-hydantoin: cytotoxic and antimicrobial investigations and comparison with their platinum analogues

Two new Pd(II) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-hydantoin (AMPH) were synthesized: cis-[Pd(AMPH)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O and cis-[Pd(AMPH)₂Br₂]·H₂O. The complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The determination of crystal water content in the complexes was defined by Karl Fisher titration. The cytotoxic effects of these complexes were examined on a panel of human tumor cell lines. Qualitative antimicrobial assays on three pathogenic microorganisms of the new complexes, their analogues with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-hydantoin(MPH) and their platinum analogues were made. Cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·H₂O showed significant activity against C. albicans.     

Mono- and binuclear complexes involving [Pd(N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)(H2O)2]2+, 4,4′-bipiperidine and DNA constituents

The Pd(dmen)Cl₂, where dmen?=?N,N-dimethethylenediamine, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy. The complex-formation equilibria in the reaction of [Pd(dmen)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ with 4,4′-bipiperidine (Bip) and DNA constituents were investigated at 25°C and 0.1?mol?L^?1 ionic strength. The results show the formation of [(H₂O)(dmen)Pd(Bip)Pd(dmen)(H₂O)]⁴⁺. Inosine, uracil, and thymine interact with the previously mentioned complex by the substitution of two-coordinated water molecules. The formation constants of all possible mono- and binuclear complexes were determined and their speciation diagrams were evaluated.     

Pyrazole-3-carboxylates assisted N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activities towards arylation of azoles with arylsulfonyl hydrazides

Four mononuclear and dinuclear pyrazole-3-carboxylates assisted NHC–Pd complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Notably, the bridge-cleavage reactions of [Pd(μ-Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ with 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid afforded dinuclear complexes [(NHC)Pd(μ-1H-pyrazolato-3-carboxylate)]₂, in which the 1H-pyrazolato-3-carboxylate was employed as a N^N^O dianionic chelating and bridging ligand. To further explore the structural features and catalytic properties of the complexes, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid was introduced into the coordination with [Pd(μ-Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ and the corresponding mononuclear complexes (NHC)PdCl(1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate) were obtained. The catalytic properties of the complexes in desulfitative arylation of azoles with arylsulfonyl hydrazides were initially investigated.     

Synthese von Clathratverbindungen des Typs Cd(mea) m [Pd(CN)4] ·nG

The preparation, identification and some properties of three new clathrate compounds Cd(mea)[Pd(CN)₄] · 2C₆H₆, Cd(mea)₂[Pd(CN)₄] · C₄H₄S and Cd(mea)₂[Pd(CN)₄] · C₄H₄NH (mea = HO-CH₂-CH₂-NH₂) are described.

     

trans‐Bis[3‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)triazenido‐κN3]bis(pyridine‐κN)palladium(II)

In the title complex, [Pd(C₁₂H₈FN₄O₂)₂(C₅H₅N)₂] or trans‐[Pd(FC₆H₄N=N—NC₆H₄NO₂)(C₅H₅N)₂], the Pd atom lies on a centre of inversion in space group P. The coordination geometry about the Pd²⁺ ion is square planar, with two deprotonated 3‐(2‐fluoro­phenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitro­phenyl)­triazenide ions, FC₆H₄N=N—NC₆H₄NO₂^?, acting as monodentate ligands (two‐electron donors), while two neutral pyridine mol­ecules complete the metal coordination sphere. The whole triazenide ligand is not planar, with the largest interplanar angle being 16.8 (5)° between the phenyl ring of the 2‐­fluorophenyl group and the plane defined by the N=N—N moiety. The Pd—N(triazenide) and Pd—N(pyridine) distances are 2.021 (3) and 2.039 (3) Å, respectively.     

Palladium Nanoparticles Embedded into Graphene Nanosheets: Preparation,Characterization, and Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Detection of H2O2

A novel nonenzymatic H₂O₂ sensor based on a palladium nanoparticles/graphene (Pd‐NPs/GN) hybrid nanostructures composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was reported. The composites of graphene (GN) decorated with Pd nanoparticles have been prepared by simultaneously reducing graphite oxide (GO) and K₂PdCl₄ in one pot. The Pd‐NPs were intended to enlarge the interplanar spacing of graphene nanosheets and were well dispersed on the surface or completely embedded into few‐layer GN, which maintain their high surface area and prevent GN from aggregating. XPS analysis indicated that the surface Pd atoms are negatively charged, favoring the reduction process of H₂O₂. Moreover, the Pd‐NPs/GN/GCE could remarkably decrease the overpotential and enhance the electron‐transfer rate due to the good contact between Pd‐NPs and GN sheets, and Pd‐NPs have high catalytical effect for H₂O₂ reduction. Amperometric measurements allow observation of the electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂ at 0.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The H₂O₂ reduction current is linear to its concentration in the range from 1×10^?9 to 2×10^?3 M, and the detection limit was found to be 2×10^?10 M (S/N=3). The as‐prepared nonenzymatic H₂O₂ sensor exhibits excellent repeatability, selectivity and long‐term stability.     

Three‐Component Self‐Assembly of a Series of Triply Interlocked Pd12 Coordination Prisms and Their Non‐Interlocked Pd6 Analogues

Template‐assisted formation of multicomponent Pd₆ coordination prisms and formation of their self‐templated triply interlocked Pd₁₂ analogues in the absence of an external template have been established in a single step through Pd? N/Pd? O coordination. Treatment of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] with K₃tma and linear pillar 4,4′‐bpy (en=ethylenediamine, H₃tma=benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) gave intercalated coordination cage [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 1 ) exclusively, whereas the same reaction in the presence of H₃tma as an aromatic guest gave a H₃tma‐encapsulating non‐interlocked discrete Pd₆ molecular prism [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 2 ). Though the same reaction using cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] (pn=propane‐1,2‐diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 3 ) along with non‐interlocked Pd₆ analogue [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂](NO₃)₆ ( 3′ ), and the presence of H₃tma as a guest gave H₃tma‐encapsulating molecular prism [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 4 ) exclusively. In solution, the amount of 3′ decreases as the temperature is decreased, and in the solid state 3 is the sole product. Notably, an analogous reaction using the relatively short pillar pz (pz=pyrazine) instead of 4,4′‐bpy gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 5 ) as the single product. Interestingly, the same reaction using slightly more bulky cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(tmen)] (tmen=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylene diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] gave non‐interlocked [{Pd(tmen)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 6 ) exclusively. Complexes 1 , 3 , and 5 represent the first examples of template‐free triply interlocked molecular prisms obtained through multicomponent self‐assembly. Formation of the complexes was supported by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. Formation of guest‐encapsulating complexes ( 2 and 4 ) was confirmed by 2D DOSY and ROESY NMR spectroscopic analyses, whereas for complexes 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques unambiguously confirmed their formation. The gross geometries of H₃tma‐encapsulating complexes 2 and 4 were obtained by universal force field (UFF) simulations.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Three Palladium（Ⅱ） Complexes with Isonitrosobenzoylacetoneimine Ligand

Three palladium (II) complexes with the isonitrosobenzoylacetoneimine (HIBI) ligand, Pd (p‐CH₃C₆H₄IBI)₂ (1), Pd (C₆H₅IBI)₂ (2) and Pd₂Cl₂ (C₆H₅CH₂IBI)₂ · CHCl₃ (3), were prepared and characterized by IR, Raman and X‐ray diffraction studies. The geometries around the palladium atoms in the complexes 1 and 2 are distorted trans‐PdN₄ square planes, and the Schiff base ligands RIBI^? are coordinated through their oximo‐nitrogen atoms and imino‐nitrogen atoms. The week Pd…H? C agostic interactions [Pd…H = 0.2764 nm] complete the hexacoordinate environment around palladium in the complex 1. The octahedral deformation of the classical square planar environment of the Pd atom is due to the week Pd…O (1b) interactions [Pd? O (1b) = 0.3157 (9) nm] in the complex 2. The complex 3 is a first example of binuclear complex with isonitrosoketoimine ligands, in which one of oximo groups is coordinated through oximo‐nitrogen and oximo‐oxygen atoms.     

Substitution of ligands in dichloro-2-(arylazo)heterocyclepalladium(II) by 8-quinolinol: kinetics and mechanistic studies

Nucleophilic substitutions of Pd(N,N)Cl₂[(N,N = 1-methyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole (RaaiMe), p-RC₆H₄N=NC₃H₂NN-1-Me; 2-(arylazo)pyridine (Raap), p-RC₆H₄N=NC₅H₄N; 2-(arylazo)pyrimidine (Raapm), p-RC₆H₄N=NC₄H₃N₂ where R = H (a), Me (b), Cl (c)] with 8-quinolinol (HQ) have been examined by spectrophotometry at 298 K in MeCN solution. The product, Pd(Q)₂, has also been confirmed by independent synthesis from Na₂[PdCl₄] and HQ in EtOH. The kinetics of the reaction have been studied under pseudo-first-order conditions and the analyses support a nucleophilic association path. A single phase reaction has been observed and follows the rate law, rate = a + k [Pd(N,N)Cl₂] [HQ]². Thus, the reaction is first order in [Pd(N,N)Cl₂] and second order in [HQ]. External addition of Cl^–(LiCl) suppresses the rate. The rate increases as follows: Pd(RaaiMe)Cl₂ < Pd(Raap)Cl₂ < Pd(Raapm)Cl₂.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the homogeneous oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butenes to methyl ethyl ketone in a solution of Mo-V-phosphoric heteropoly acid in the presence of palladium pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate

In catalytic two-step n-butene oxidation with dioxygen to methyl ethyl ketone, the first step is the oxidation of n-C₄H₈ with an aqueous solution of Mo-V-P heteropoly acid in the presence of Pd(II) complexes. The kinetics of n-butene oxidation with solutions of H₇PV₄Mo₈O₄₀ (HPA-4) in the presence of the Pd(II) dipicolinate complex (H₂O)PdII(dipic) (I), where dipic²⁻ is the tridentate ligand 2,6-NC₅H₃(COO⁻)₂, is studied. Calculation shows that, at the ratio dipic²⁻: Pd(II) = 1: 1, the ligand decreases the redox potential of the Pd(II)/Pd_met system from 0.92 to 0.73–0.77, due to which Pd(II) is stabilized in reduced solutions of HPA-4. The reaction is first-order with respect to n-C₄H₈. Its order with respect to Pd(II) is slightly below unity, and its order with respect to HPA-4 is relatively low (∼0.63). The activation energy of but-1-ene oxidation in the temperature range from 40 to 80°C is 49.0 kJ/mol, and that of the oxidation of but-2-ene is 55.6 kJ/mol. The mechanism of the reaction involving the cis-diaqua complex [(H₂O)₂Pd^II(Hdipic)]⁺, which forms reversibly from complex I, is proposed. The reaction rate is shown to increase with an increase in the HPA-4 concentration due to an increase in the acidity of the solution.     

An organopalladium(II) compound including enolate oxy­gen‐ and sp3‐carbon‐bound 1,3‐di­methyl­barbiturate ligands: (1,2‐di­amino­ethane)­bis(1,3‐di­methyl­barbiturato)­palladium(II) 5.5‐hydrate

In the title compound, [Pd(C₆H₇N₂O₃)₂(C₂H₈N₂)]·5.5H₂O, the Pd atom is coordinated by two 1,3‐di­methyl­barbiturate anions through a deprotonated tetrahedral carbon and the enolate oxy­gen. The Pd—N bond length of 2.078 (2) Åtrans to the C atom is shorter than the Pt—N distance of 2.098 (3) Å in the Pt analog.     

Judiciously balancing steric and electronic influences on 2,3‐diiminobutane‐based Pd(II) complexes in nourishing polyethylene properties

A new series of palladium complexes ( Pd1–Pd5 ) ligated by symmetrical 2,3‐diiminobutane derivatives, 2,3‐bis[2,6‐bis{bis(4‐FC₆H₄)₂CH}₂‐4‐(alkyl)C₆H₂N]C₄H₆ (alkyl = Me L1 , Et L2 , ⁱ Pr L3 , ^t Bu L4 ) and 2,3‐bis[2,6‐bis{bis(C₆H₅)₂CH}₂‐4‐{(CH₃)₃C}C₆H₂N]C₄H₆ L5 , have been prepared and well characterized, and their catalytic scope toward ethylene polymerization have been investigated. Upon activation with MAO, all palladium complexes ( Pd1–Pd5) exhibited good activities (up to 1.44 × 10⁶ g (PE) mol^?1(Pd) h^?1) and produced higher molecular weight polyethylene in the range of 10⁵ g mol^?1 with precise molecular weight distribution (M _w/M _n = 1.37–1.77). One of the long‐standing limiting features of the Brookhart type α‐diimine Pd(II) catalysts is that they produce highly branched (ca. 100/1000 C atoms) and totally amorphous polymer. Conversely, herein Pd5 produced polymers having dramatically lower branching number (28/1000) as well as improved melting temperature up to 73.1 °C showing well‐controlled linear architecture, and very similar to polyethylene materials generated by early‐transition‐metal based catalysts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 3214–3222     

A series of (NHC)Pd(N˄O)(OAc) complexes: synthesis,characterization and catalytic activities towards desulfinative Sonogashira coupling of arylsulfonyl hydrazides with arylalkynes

A series of well-defined N-heterocyclic carbene palladium (II) complexes with general formula (NHC)Pd(N^˄O)(OAc) were prepared through reaction of Pd (NHC)(OAc)₂(H₂O) with 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid or 1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid in the presence of K₂CO₃. These complexes were then used for desulfinative Sonogashira coupling of arylsulfonyl hydrazides with terminal alkynes. With low catalyst loading, all synthesized palladium compounds exhibited moderate to high catalytic activities for the reactions.     

Oxygen Atom Adsorption and Diffusion on Pd Low-index Surfaces and （311） Stepped Surface

Introduction Atom adsorption on transition metal surfaces has attracted special attention as a base for understanding the fundamental processes of oxidative catalysis. Particularly interesting is the adsorption and diffusion of oxygen on well-defined metal surfaces. An oxygen covered palladium surface, for example, plays a central role in several important reactions such as oxidation of carbon monoxide and ammonia. In particular, the (100), (111), (110) surfaces and the interactions with oxyge…     

Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes of 2-Phenyl- and 2-Benzyl-imidazoline: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,DNA Modification and in vitro Antileukaemic Activity

In this paper we describe the synthesis and chemical characterization of three new Pd(II)–imidazoline complexes: [PdCl₂ (C₆H₅–CH₂–C₃H₅N₂)₂] (2), [PdCl(SEt₂) (C₆H₄-C₃H₅N₂)] (5) and [Pd(C₆H₄-C₃H₅N₂) (μ-Br)]₂ (6). We have also analyzed the DNA modifications and in vitro antileukaemic activity of these compounds and of their previously reported analogs [Pd Cl₂ (C₆H₅–C₃H₅N₂)₂] (1), [Pd (C₆H₄–C₃H₅N₂) (μ-OAc)]₂ (3), [Pd (C₆H₄–C₃H₅N₂) (μ-Cl)]₂ (4) and [Pt(C₆H₄–C₃H₅N₂)(μ-Cl] (7). All these compounds modify the DNA secondary structure since they alter the melting temperature (T_m) of the DNA. Circular dichroism spectra indicated, moreover, that compounds 3, 5 and 6 induced higher modification on the double helix than compounds 1, 2 and 4. While compounds 1, 2 and 5 seem to induce slight changes in the electrophoretic mobility of the open and covalently closed circular forms of pUC8 DNA at high r_i (input molar ratio of Pd or Pt to nucleotides), compounds 3, 6 and 7 do not modify at any r_i the tertiary structure of the plasmid DNA. Antileukaemic tests suggest that compounds 1, 4 and 7 exhibit important cytotoxic activity since their IC₅₀ values against HL-60 human leukaemic cells were below 10 μg ml⁻¹. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.