Formation of glutathione sulfenate and sulfinate complexes by an organoiridium(iii) anticancer complex

Abstract

The organoiridium(III) anticancer complex [(η⁵-Cp^xbiph)Ir(phpy)py] (Cp^xbiph = biphenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl, phpy = phenylpyridine, py = pyridine) unexpectedly reacts with the tripeptide glutathione in the presence of coenzyme NADH to give glutathione sulfenate (Ir–S(O)G) and sulfinate (Ir–S(O)₂G) complexes. These new adducts may play a role in the anticancer activity of such organoiridium complexes.