Purine complexes of platinum: synthesis, nmr, and crystal and molecular structures of cis-chloro(caffeine)bis(triethylphosphine)platinum(II) fluoroborate and cis-bis(isocaffeine)bis(triethylphosphine)platinum (II) fluoroborate

Abstract

Synthesis and 31P nmr spectra of the complex cations, cis-[PtCl(L)(PEt3)2]+, L= theophylline, caffeine, or isocaffeine, and cis[Pt(isocaff)2(PEt3)2]2+ are reported. The crystal structure of cis-[PtCl(caffeine)(PEt3)2][BF4] is determined, space group [Formula: see text], a = 1.1766(6), b = 1.4428(5), c = 0.9002(4) nm, α = 97.28(4)°, β = 97.69(4)°, γ = 100.96(5)°, Dm = 1.649 g cm−1, the bond lengths are Pt—Cl= 233.4(4) pm, Pt—N = 215(1) pm, Pt—P = 225.4(5) pm (mean), and the residual R = 0.071. The crystal structure of cis-[Pt(isocaffeine)2(PEt3)2][BF4]2 is orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 2.317(3), b = 1.717(3), c = 2.130(3) nm, Dm = 1.574 g cm−3, with an opposing isocaffeine conformation, bond lengths Pt—N = 211(2) pm, Pt—P = 227.6(9) pm (mean), and R = 0.073. Both crystal structures contain approximately square planar Pt(II) coordination with the purine coordinated via an imidazole nitrogen. The structures are discussed as models for the possible involvement of [Formula: see text] chelation of guanine to platinum when platinum drugs act as antitumour agents, but there is no evidence that isocaffeine acts as an [Formula: see text] chelate.