Synthetic amino acids such as fluorinated alpha-amino acids are currently actively investigated for their biological activity. Herein, we report on the synthesis and characterization of platinum complexes containing an N,O-chelated pure enantiomer of alpha-trifluoromethylalanine (alpha-Tfm-Ala). The compounds are either anionic, K[PtCl2(alpha-Tfm-Ala)], or cationic, [PtAm2(alpha-Tfm-Ala)](NO3) (Am2= (NH3)2, ethylendiamine (en), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2phen)). All complexes are highly soluble in water and have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity assays on different human tumor cell lines have been performed on some of the isolated compounds. [Pt(NH3)2(alpha-Tfm-Ala)] with R configuration of the amino acid proved to have an activity comparable to that of the reference compound cisplatin. Flow cytometric analysis on NCI-H460 tumor cells (absence of G2/M arrest, which instead is observed in the case of cisplatin) suggests a mechanism of action different from that of cisplatin.

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A series of 1,1‐bis(indol‐3‐yl) and 1‐(indol‐2‐yl)‐1‐(indol‐3‐yl)‐ψ‐hydroxyalkanes, prepared from the corresponding indole derivatives and suitable hydroxyaldehydes via routine coupling reactions, were treated with DAST (diethylaminosulfur trifluoride) under mild conditions, to generate a small library of cycloalkanoindoles. Irrespective of the substitution pattern, i.e. whether they are symmetrical or unsymmetrical derivatives, the same mixture of products is produced, in which the tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole and hexahydrocyclohepta[b]indole scaffolds are substituted by a indol‐3‐yl nucleus on one of the two α‐carbon atoms of the cycloalkane moieties. Thus, speculations on the reaction mechanism with the prediction of a common reaction intermediate are presented. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)

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