Conformational flexibility and its potential influence on metabolic reactions for the anti-tumour compound a-ammine-bd-bis(butyrato)-cf-dichloro-e-cyclohexylamine platinum(IV)

The crystal structure of the experimental anti-tumour compound a-ammine-bd-bis(butyrato)-cf-dichloro-e-cyclohexylamine platinum(IV) is reported. There are four independent molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, which show two distinct conformations about the carboxylate linkage to the platinum atom. Implications for metabolic activation are discussed and the potential for base-catalysed solvolysis of platinum(IV) amine complexes is demonstrated.