Structural features of a new dinuclear platinum(II) complex with significant antiproliferative activity

A novel dinuclear platinum(II) complex, Pt(2)-N,N'-bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl oxamide)Cl(4)], showing peculiar structural features, has been prepared and characterized. X-ray diffraction data reveal that the two platinum ions are simultaneously bound to the N,N'-bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) oxamide ligand, on opposite sides. The coordination environment of both platinum centers is square planar, with identical NOCl(2) donor sets. The complex is poorly soluble within a physiological buffer but moderately soluble in DMSO. Preliminary in vitro studies point out that this dinuclear platinum complex exhibits significant growth-inhibiting properties on a panel of cultured human tumor cell lines, although less pronounced than those of cisplatin.