De novo generation of singlet oxygen and ammine ligands by photoactivation of a platinum anticancer complex

Abstract

Worth the excitement: Highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are generated by photoactivation of the anticancer platinum(IV) complex trans,trans,trans-[Pt(N3 )2 (OH)2 (MA)(Py)] (MA=methylamine, Py=pyridine). Singlet oxygen is formed from the hydroxido ligands and not from dissolved oxygen, and ammine ligands are products from the conversion of azido ligands to nitrenes. Both processes can induce oxidation of guanine.

Keywords: antitumor agents; bioinorganic chemistry; guanine oxidation; photoactivation; singlet oxygen.