Significant effects of counteranions on the anticancer activity of iridium(iii) complexes

Abstract

The rational design of the ligands around transition metals has achieved success in the development of anticancer complexes. In this contribution, a series of organometallic half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes with various corresponding counteranions have been prepared and characterized. The size and coordination ability of the counteranions exert a great influence on the chemical reactivity and anticancer activity of these complexes. The influence of the counteranions on the cell cycle, apoptosis, ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential is also discussed. This work has shown for the first time that the modification of counteranions can affect the anticancer activity of transition metal-based complexes.