Why is platinum the element of choice to study the trans effect?

70.2K

Verified Solution

Question

Chemistry

Why is platinum the element of choice to study the transeffect?

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert

4.1 Ratings (805 Votes)

Cisplatin is a tiny little drug molecule that contains a platinum ion in the middle of a flat square with two chloride ions and two ammonia molecules making up the corners Approved for use in humans in 1978 it was the first of a completely new type of anticancer drug and remains an extremely effective and common treatment for conditions such as testicular and ovarian cancer But why on Earth would you want to put a heavy metal like platinum in your body Platinum like many heavy metals is rather rare in the biosphere and as a result humans have not evolved to use it in our biochemistry nor have we evolved any particular defence mechanisms against it As a result dosing yourself up on soluble forms of platinum results in some rather nasty toxic effects such as nausea and kidney damage as the body tries to get rid of the stuff out of one end or the other nerve damage and hearing loss The point of course is that cisplatin also fights cancer and while partial deafness and nausea are not nice they dont kill you like cancer does Moreover medical research has some excellent ways of minimising side effects and maximising the effectiveness of small doses of the drug So why is cisplatin so good at fighting cancer See Answer

Get Answers to Unlimited Questions

Join us to gain access to millions of questions and expert answers. Enjoy exclusive benefits tailored just for you!

Membership Benefits:

Unlimited Question Access with detailed Answers
Zin AI - 3 Million Words
10 Dall-E 3 Images
20 Plot Generations
Conversation with Dialogue Memory
No Ads, Ever!
Access to Our Best AI Platform: Flex AI - Your personal assistant for all your inquiries!

Become a Member