There are two compounds of the formula \(\mathrm{Pt}\left(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}:\) The compound on the right is called cisplatin, and the compound on the left is called transplatin. (a) Which compound has a nonzero dipole moment? (b) One of these compounds is an anticancer drug, and one is inactive. The anticancer drug works by its chloride ions undergoing a substitution reaction with nitrogen atoms in DNA that are close together, forming a \(\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{Pt}-\mathrm{N}\) angle of about \(90^{*} .\) Which compound would you predict to be the anticancer drug?

Short Answer

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The short answer based on the given step-by-step solution: (a) Cisplatin has a nonzero dipole moment due to its asymmetric molecular geometry, with chlorine atoms on the same side of the Pt atom. (b) Cisplatin is predicted to be the anticancer drug, as its molecular geometry allows it to form a \(90^{\circ}\) N-Pt-N angle when interacting with DNA, unlike transplatin, where the Cl atoms are farther apart, making it difficult to form the optimal angle for anticancer activity.

Step by step solution

01

Draw the structures of cisplatin and transplatin

To help visualize the molecular geometry and compare the dipole moments of cisplatin and transplatin, draw the structures like so: Cisplatin: Cl-Pt-Cl | | NH3 NH3 Transplatin: Cl-Pt-NH3 | | NH3 Cl Note that in cisplatin, the chlorine atoms (Cl) are on the same side of the Pt atom, and in transplatin, the Cl atoms are on opposite sides of the Pt atom.
02

Determine the dipole moment

The dipole moment depends on the overall molecular geometry and polarity of the individual bonds. In both cisplatin and transplatin, the bonds between Pt and Cl are polar, as are the bonds between Pt and NH3. A nonzero dipole moment results from the presence of polar bonds and an asymmetric molecular geometry. In cisplatin, the Cl atoms are on the same side of the Pt atom, causing an uneven distribution of charge that leads to a nonzero dipole moment. In transplatin, the Cl atoms are on opposite sides of the Pt atom, causing the charge distribution to be balanced, leading to an overall dipole moment of zero. Answer (a): Cisplatin has a nonzero dipole moment.
03

Determine the anticancer drug

According to the problem statement, the anticancer drug works by its chloride ions undergoing a substitution reaction with nitrogen atoms in DNA, forming an N-Pt-N angle of about \(90^{\circ}\). Since the molecular geometries of cisplatin and transplatin differ, their interactions with DNA also vary. In cisplatin, the Cl atoms on the same side of Pt are closer together, allowing the compound to form a \(90^{\circ}\) N-Pt-N angle when interacting with DNA. In transplatin, the Cl atoms are farther apart, making it difficult to form the optimal \(90^{\circ}\) N-Pt-N angle for the anticancer activity. Answer (b): Cisplatin is predicted to be the anticancer drug.

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