Mechanistic insights into toxic effects of a benzotriazolate-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) compound in tumor cells

► The toxicity of dinuclear PtII complex 1 in tumor cells was lower than that of cisplatin. ► Deactivation of 1 by S-containing compounds contributes to reduced DNA binding of 1 in cells. ► DNA adducts of 1 and cisplatin distort DNA conformation differently. ► Monofunctional DNA adducts of 1 are converted to more toxic cross-links more slowly. ► The results explain the reduced cytoxicity of 1.