Design and synthesis of a cephalosporin–carboplatinum prodrug activatable by a β-lactamase

The design and syntheses of two cephalosporin–carboplatinum prodrugs that can be released by a β-lactamase are described. The hydrolysis of cephalosporins catalyzed by a β-lactamase with acetyl or DACCP as 3′-leaving groups is studied by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance in deuterated buffer solutions. These notions provide a new approach to the use of platinum complexes for antitumor therapy.