Transplatin was used to prepare trans-diamminoditetrazolato-Pt(II) derivatives. Oxidation of ditetrazolato-Pt(II) complexes to Pt(IV) derivatives done with H2O2. Pt(II) derivatives do not bind to calf thymus DNA. Pt(IV) derivatives need ascorbate to bind to calf thymus DNA. Pt(IV) derivatives are cytotoxic to cancer cells but the Pt(II) complexes are not.