A trans-diaquacomplex formed by copper(II) sulphate and the sequestering polyamminopolycarboxylic
ligand 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) has been isolated and characterized by
chemical analysis, titrimetry, FT-IR and electronic spectroscopy, Potentiometric and electronic
measurements identified the ligand as tetradentate, two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms being bonded to the
Cu(II) in planar positions. This octahedral monomeric soluble compound, is an unusual example of a copper
(II) substance showing significant in vitro antitumour activity against the human ovarian tumour cells TG
(ID50 = 2.29 μM at 48 h) and important in vivo antitumour activity against solid Sarcoma 180 with
complete regression of the tumour at a dose of 12.5 mg/Kg body weight.