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Related Concept Videos

Stereoisomerism02:52

Stereoisomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Structural Isomerism02:34

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Properties of Organometallic Compounds01:23

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.
Coordination Number and Geometry02:57

Coordination Number and Geometry

For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
11:14

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Published on: November 10, 2013

Organometallic half-sandwich iridium anticancer complexes.

Zhe Liu1, Abraha Habtemariam, Ana M Pizarro

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
|March 30, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Iridium(III) organometallic complexes with substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands show potent anticancer activity. Increased phenyl substitution on the Cp* ligand enhances cytotoxicity, with Cp(xbiph) complexes exhibiting submicromolar activity against ovarian cancer cells.

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Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
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Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

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Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
09:45

Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

Published on: March 20, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
11:14

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Published on: November 10, 2013

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
07:20

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

Published on: May 28, 2014

Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
09:45

Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

Published on: March 20, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Low-spin 5d(6) Ir(III) complexes are explored for therapeutic potential.
  • Half-sandwich organometallic complexes offer tunable properties for drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and evaluate novel iridium(III) organometallic complexes for anticancer activity.
  • To investigate the structure-activity relationships of these complexes, focusing on ligand modifications.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of iridium(III) half-sandwich complexes with varying Cp(x) and N,N-chelating ligands.
  • Assessment of hydrolytic stability, DNA binding affinity (guanine vs. adenine), and cellular uptake.
  • Evaluation of cytotoxicity against A2780 human ovarian cancer cells and correlation with physicochemical properties.

Main Results:

  • Complexes readily hydrolyze; N,N-chelating ligand complexes bind guanine preferentially over adenine.
  • Cytotoxicity increases with phenyl substitution on the Cp* ligand (Cp(xbiph) > Cp(xph) > Cp*), with specific Cp(xbiph) complexes showing submicromolar activity.
  • Hydrophobicity, cellular/nuclear accumulation, and DNA intercalation ability correlate strongly with enhanced anticancer potency.

Conclusions:

  • Phenyl-substituted Cp(x) ligands significantly enhance the anticancer efficacy of Ir(III) complexes.
  • The observed cytotoxicity is driven by favorable hydrophobicity, cellular accumulation, and DNA intercalation properties.
  • These findings highlight the potential of tailored iridium(III) complexes as novel anticancer agents.