Cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes as mitochondria-targeted anticancer agents.

Four cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes [Ir(dfppy)2(L)](+) (dfppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine, L = 6-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, Ir1; 6-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, Ir2; 6-(quinolin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, Ir3; 6-(isoquinolin-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, Ir4) have been synthesized and characterized. Distinct from cisplatin, Ir1-Ir4 could specifically target mitochondria and induced apoptosis against various cancer cell lines, especially for cisplatin resistant cells. ICP-MS results indicated that Ir1-Ir4 were taken up via different mechanism for cancer cells and normal cells, which resulted in their high selectivity. The structure-activity relationship and signaling pathways were also discussed.