A method of reducing the in vivo viability of cancer cells selected from the group consisting of breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and melanoma cancer cells has steps of: a) identifying a prospective patient having cancer cells selected from the group consisting of breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and melanoma cancer cells; and b) administering a cisplatin derivative to the prospective patient so that the cisplatin derivative will contact the cancer cells; wherein the cisplatin derivative is a 4,4′-bis[RO]-2,2′-bipyridine)PtCl2 where, R is selected from the group consisting of —(CH2)nCH3 where n=2, 3, 4 or 5, and —(CH2)n[O(CH2)m]yO(CH2)zCH3 where n=2, m=2, y=2, z=1. A novel synthetic process for the manufacture of these compounds (and their analogs) is also provided.