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Properties of Organometallic Compounds01:23

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

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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.
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Structural Isomerism02:34

Structural Isomerism

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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...
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Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

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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...
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Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

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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...
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Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

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The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
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Stereoisomerism02:52

Stereoisomerism

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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...
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Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism
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Anticancer Iron-Iridium Organometallic Conjugates.

Chiara Zappelli1, Zhimei Xiao2, Silvia Schoch1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.

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New iron-iridium complexes show potent anticancer activity. Compound 5a demonstrated superior efficacy over cisplatin, with enhanced iridium uptake and selectivity in cancer cells, suggesting a promising therapeutic avenue.

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Area of Science:

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Diiron vinyliminium complexes and ferracyclic compounds serve as precursors for novel metallodrug development.
  • Iridium complexes are recognized for their therapeutic potential in oncology.
  • The synthesis of hybrid metal complexes offers opportunities to combine the properties of different metals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize novel iron-iridium conjugates.
  • To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of these conjugates against various cancer cell lines.
  • To investigate the mechanism of action underlying their anticancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of diiron vinyliminium and ferracyclic iron complexes.
  • Reaction with iridium complexes ([IrCp*(Phpy)Cl]) to form iron-iridium conjugates.
  • Characterization using mass spectrometry, IR, and NMR spectroscopy.
  • Cytotoxicity assays on human cancer (A2780, A549, U87) and noncancerous (MRC-5) cell lines.
  • Lipophilicity (Log P_ow) determination, oxygen consumption rate, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assays.

Main Results:

  • Two novel bis-cationic iron-iridium conjugates (4a-b) and one monocationic species (5a) were synthesized in high yields.
  • NMR and DFT analyses confirmed the presence of diastereoisomers and comparable iridium-ligand coordination.
  • Compound 5a exhibited superior cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin and the iridium precursor (Irpy), with a tendency towards selectivity.
  • The iron-iridium conjugates showed significantly enhanced activity compared to iron precursors.
  • Increased iridium uptake in cancer cells, suppressed oxygen consumption, and elevated ROS production were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Novel iron-iridium conjugates were successfully synthesized and characterized.
  • Compound 5a displays significant anticancer potential, outperforming cisplatin and showing selectivity.
  • The enhanced anticancer activity is linked to increased iridium accumulation in cancer cells, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress induction.