A novel benzopyran-based platinum (II)–3-hydroxy-2-tolyl-4
H
-chromen-4-one (HToC) complex has been prepared and studied
by UV–visible spectrophotometry. The study is based on the
colored complexation between Pt(II) and HToC in the pH range of 8.92–9.21,
resulting in the formation of a stable binary yellow complex exhibiting
λ
max
at 509–525 nm. The formed complex maintains
linearity between 0.0 and 1.8 μg Pt(II) mL
–1
. The well-known qualitative analytical methods, including Job’s
method of continuous variations and the mole ratio approach, have
both proven that the stoichiometry of the complex is 1:2 [Pt(II)/HToC].
Hence, the analytical results suggest that the formed platinum complex
exhibits a square planar geometry. The values of various attributes
corresponding to spectrophotometric studies and statistical calculations,
such as the molar extinction coefficient (6.790 × 10
4
L mol
–1
cm
–1
), Sandell’s
sensitivity (0.0029 μg Pt(II) cm
–2
), standard
deviation (± 0.0011), RSD (0.317%), limit of detection (0.0147
μg mL
–1
) and correlation coefficient (0.9999),
show that the performed study satisfies all of the criteria for good
sensitivity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. In order to have
an apprehension of the molecular geometry and other structural specifics
of the complex, DFT studies have been carried out. The
in
vitro
anticancer potential of the ligand and its platinum
complex in the human breast cancer cell line (T-27D), as determined
by the MTT assay, reveals that the complex has better antiproliferative
potential than the ligand. The antimicrobial potential of the complex
has been successfully tested against both Gram-positive and -negative
bacteria. Antioxidant capacity results suggest the better radical
scavenging capacity of the complex than that of the ligand.