Photocatalytic glucose-appended bio-compatible Ir(iii) anticancer complexes

Abstract

Rationally-designed glucose-appended Ir(iii) photo-catalysts ([Ir(N,C)2(N,N-Glc)]+, Ir1-Ir3) show visible light-induced catalytic NAD(P)H oxidation in aqueous solution. The highly in vivo biocompatible complex, Ir3, shows lysosome and mitochondria targeting necro-apoptotic photo-cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines and multicellular spheroids, while remaining non-toxic in the dark. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry.