Decomposition of cisplatin in aqueous solutions containing chlorides by ultrasonic energy and light.

Decomposition of cisplatin in an aqueous 0.15 M chloride solution by diffuse daylight, by monochromatic light, and by ultrasonic energy was studied using a new HPLC method. The relative sensitivity of cisplatin to light copies the curve of the absorption spectrum of cisplatin with maximum at ca. 300 nm; however, any light below 500 nm must be avoided. Sonication also leads to a rapid decomposition of cisplatin. Irradiation by diffuse daylight or sonication of the cisplatin solutions for 5 min leads to ca. 1% amminetrichloroplatinate(II). Using HPLC analysis with diode-array spectrophotometric detection, the main decomposition product was identified as amminetrichloroplatinate(II).