LAUSR

The syntheses of three platinum(II) complexes bearing sulfonamide-((E)-2-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)-2',6'-difluoroazobenzene, HL1) and hydroxy-azo-2,6-difluorobenzene ((E)-2-((2,6-difluorophenyl)diazenyl)phenol, HL2) bidentate ligands is described. These complexes, [Pt(L1)(DMSO)Cl] (1), [Pt(L2)(DMSO)Cl] (2), and [Pt(L2)2] (3), were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Despite bearing azobenzene functional groups, none of the three complexes undergo photoisomerization. The anticancer activities of these complexes were evaluated in wild-type (A2780) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780CP70) ovarian cancer cells. All three complexes exhibited IC50 values below 10μM and displayed similar activity in both A2780 and A2780CP70 cell lines, indicating that they are not cross-resistant with cisplatin. The DNA-binding properties of 1-3 were investigated by circular dichroism spectroscopy and by agarose gel electrophoresis. Both studies suggest that 1 and 2 form monofunctional DNA adducts.