Synthesis and antitumor activity of enantiomerically pure [1,2-diamino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)propane]dichloroplatinum(II) complexes

Enantiomericaily pure 1,2-diamino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)propanes were synthesized by stereospecific and stereoselective procedures by use of the (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-2-amino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)propanols (12a) as intermediates. The enantiomeric purity was determined by H-1 NMR spectroscopy after conversion of the propanolamines and the diamines with (1R)-myrtenal into mono- and diimines. For the coordination to platinum the diamines were reacted with K2PtCl4. The resulting dichloroplatinum(II) complexes 4F-Ph/Me-PtCl2 were tested for antiproliferative activity on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. (SS)- and (RR)-4F-Ph/Me-PtCl2 produced the strongest inhibitory effect. Both complexes showed cytocidal effects, (SS)-4F-Ph/Me-PtCl2 even in a concentration of 1 muM. The (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-configurated complexes were far less active (SS>RR>RS=SR) and comparable in this respect with the standard cisplatin.