Photoactivatable cytotoxic agents derived from mitochondria-targeting luminescent iridium(iii) poly(ethylene glycol) complexes modified with a nitrobenzyl linkage

Abstract

Two novel photoactivatable mitochondria-targeting luminescent iridium(III) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) complexes incorporated with a nitrobenzyl group were designed. They showed minimal cytotoxic activity in the dark, but became significantly cytotoxic upon irradiation due to the release of the PEG pendants.