Multiple deuteration of triphenylphosphine and live-cell Raman imaging of deuterium-incorporated Mito-Q†
Abstract
All aromatic C–H bonds of triphenylphosphine (PPh3) were efficiently replaced by C–D bonds using Ru/C and Ir/C co-catalysts in 2-PrOH and D2O, an inexpensive deuterium source. Furthermore, non-radioactive and safe deuterium-incorporated Mito-Q (drug candidate) was prepared from deuterated PPh3 and used for the live-cell Raman imaging to evaluate the mitochondrial uptake.