Platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with dithiocarbamates and amines:synthesis, characterization and cell assay

The [M(ESDT)Cl](n) (M=Pd or Pt; ESDT=EtO2CCH2(CH3)NCS2-, methylamino-acetic acid ethyl ester-dithiocarboxylate) species have been reacted with various amines (py, pyridine: PrNH2, n-propylamine; c-BuNH2, cyclobutylamine; en, ethylenediamine) in dichloromethane or chloroform with the aim to obtain mi xed ligand complexes. The neutral complexes [M(ESDT)(L)CI] (L=py, PrNH2 or c-BuNH2) and the ionic species ([M(ESDT)(L)(2)]Cl and [M(ESDT)(En)]Cl) have been isolated, and characterized by IR and proton NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of [Pd(ESDT)(PrNH2)Cl] has been determined by X-ray cryst allography. The behaviour of the complexes in various solvents was describe d on the basis of the proton NMR spectra. The complexes and the dithiocarba mato intermediates have been tested for in vitro cytostatic activity agains t human leukemic HL-60 and HeLa cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V, All r ights reserved.