Synthesis and reactivity of cytotoxic platinum(II) complexes of bidentate oximes: a step towards the functionalization of bioactive complexes

Two new platinum(II) complexes bearing triphenylphosphine and bidentate oxime ligands [Pt(Cl)(PPh3){(κ2-N,O)-(1{C(R)=N(OH)-2(O)C10H6})}] (R = H, Me) were synthesized in good yields from trans-[PtCl(μ-Cl)(PPh3)]2. The structure of [Pt(Cl)(PPh3){(κ2-N,O)-(1{CH=N(OH)-2(O)C10H6})}] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes showed good antiproliferative properties in vitro against HeLa, A2780, and A2780cis cancer cell lines. They reacted cleanly with alkylating agents in the presence of aqueous bases under phase-transfer catalysis conditions to afford the corresponding O-alkylation products [Pt(Cl)(PPh3){(κ2-N,O)-(1{HC=N(OR′)-2(O)C10H6})}] [R′ = CH2CH2Cl, CH2Ph, (CH2)4Br] in good yields.