Cytotoxic hydrophilic iminophosphorane coordination compounds of d8 metals. Studies of their interactions with DNA and HSA

► Synthesis of the first water-soluble iminophosphorane(IM) ligand. ► Preparation of Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds stable in physiological media. ► Pt and Au compounds cytotoxic to cisplatin resistant leukemia cell lines. ► Pt(II) shows an interaction with DNA weaker and different than that of cisplatin. ► All complexes interact with HSA faster than cisplatin (Pt in a reversible way).