The present invention relates to using a versatile synthetic approach to generate a new class of ester, amido, or carbamate prodrugs of highly potent, but systemicaliy too toxic platinum -acridine anticancer agents. The new hybrids contain a hydroxyl group which has been masked with a cleavable lipophilic acyl moiety. Both butanoic (butyric) and bulkier 2-propanepentanoic (valproic) esters were introduced to these compounds. The goal of this design was to improve the drug-like properties of the pharmacophore (e. g., logD) without compromising its DNA-mediated cell kill potential.
