Synthesis and DNA-Binding Studies of a Dinuclear Gadolinium(III)–Platinum(II) Complex

The synthesis and characterisation of a new dinuclear GdIII–PtII complex (1·PF6) containing a functionalised macrocyclic 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid derivative linked to a PtII-terpy (terpy = 2,2′ : 6′,2″-terpyridine) unit by means of a short thiolato linker are reported. The complex was synthesised in six steps from cyclen by means of a modular synthetic strategy. A preliminary DNA-binding study with calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was performed on 1·PF6 by means of linear dichroism (LD). The observed changes in the DNA LD signal in the presence of the metal complex are fully consistent with an intercalative binding mode. Furthermore, an induced negative LD signal in the ultraviolet absorption region of the complex provides strong evidence of a strong DNA-binding interaction. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 1·PF6 towards a human glioblastoma cell line (T98G) was also determined.