The Potent Oxidant Anticancer Activity of Organoiridium Catalysts

Platinum complexes are the most widely used anticancer drugs; however, new generations of agents are needed. The organoiridium(III) complex [(η5‐Cpxbiph)Ir(phpy)(Cl)] (1‐Cl), which contains π‐bonded biphenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cpxbiph) and C^N‐chelated phenylpyridine (phpy) ligands, undergoes rapid hydrolysis of the chlorido ligand. In contrast, the pyridine complex [(η5‐Cpxbiph)Ir(phpy)(py)]+ (1‐py) aquates slowly, and is more potent (in nanomolar amounts) than both 1‐Cl and cisplatin towards a wide range of cancer cells. The pyridine ligand protects 1‐py from rapid reaction with intracellular glutathione. The high potency of 1‐py correlates with its ability to increase substantially the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. The unprecedented ability of these iridium complexes to generate H2O2 by catalytic hydride transfer from the coenzyme NADH to oxygen is demonstrated. Such organoiridium complexes are promising as a new generation of anticancer drugs for effective oxidant therapy. Beschützendes Pyridin: Ein neuer Halbsandwich‐Organoiridium(III)‐Komplex mit einem Pyridin‐Liganden ist wirksamer gegen eine Vielzahl von Krebszellen als der entsprechende Chlorid‐Komplex oder Cisplatin. Der Pyridin‐Ligand schützt den Iridium‐Komplex vor schnellen Reaktionen mit Glutathion, und seine Aktivität korreliert mit einem deutlichen Anstieg der Menge an reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies in den Krebszellen.