Photophysical and cellular uptake properties of novel phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(iii) bipyridine d-fructose complexesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, electronic absorption spectral data, confocal microscopy images and results of singlet-oxygen sensitizing experiments. See DOI: 10.1039/c3mt20276c

We report here the synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of two novel phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium( iii ) polypyridine d -fructose complexes and their fructose-free counterparts. The cellular uptake of the complexes and their cytotoxicity have also been examined. We report herein new phosphorescent iridium( iii ) fructose complexes; their inhibited uptake by unmodified fructose, mitochondria-localization behavior and photocytotoxic activity can be utilized in the development of new tumor-selective photodynamic therapeutics.