Taming the Biological Activity of Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes with Triazolato "Protective" Groups: 1H, 77Se Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and X-ray Crystallographic Model Studies with Selenocysteine to Elucidate Differential Thioredoxin Reductase Inhibition.

The biological activity of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes toward three different cancer cell lines as well as inhibition of selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) was modulated in an unexpected way by the introduction of triazolate as a "protective group" to the inner metal coordination sphere using the iClick reaction of [M(N3)(terpy)]PF6 [M = Pd(II) or Pt(II) and terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine] with an electron-poor alkyne. In a cell proliferation assay using A549, HT-29, and MDA-MB-231 human cancer cell lines, the palladium compound was significantly more potent than the isostructural platinum analogue and exhibited submicromolar activity on the most responsive cell line. This difference was also reflected in the inhibitory efficiency toward TrxR with IC50 values of 0.1 versus 5.4 µM for the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes, respectively. UV/Vis kinetic studies revealed that the Pt compound binds to selenocysteine faster than to cysteine [k = (22.9 ± 0.2)·10-3 vs (7.1 ± 0.2)·10-3 s-1]. Selective triazolato ligand exchange of the title compounds with cysteine (Hcys) and selenocysteine (Hsec)─but not histidine (His) and 9-ethylguanine (9EtG)─was confirmed by 1H, 77Se, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structures of three of the four ligand exchange products were obtained, including [Pt(sec)(terpy)]PF6 as the first metal complex of selenocysteine to be structurally characterized.

2,7- and 4,9-Dialkynyldihydropyrene Molecular Switches: Syntheses, Properties, and Charge Transport in Single-Molecule Junctions.

This paper describes the syntheses of several functionalized dihydropyrene (DHP) molecular switches with different substitution patterns. Regioselective nucleophilic alkylation of a 5-substituted dimethyl isophthalate allowed the development of a workable synthetic protocol for the preparation of 2,7-alkyne-functionalized DHPs. Synthesis of DHPs with surface-anchoring groups in the 2,7- and 4,9-positions is described. The molecular structures of several intermediates and DHPs were elucidated by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Molecular properties and switching capabilities of both types of DHPs were assessed by light irradiation experiments, spectroelectrochemistry, and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroelectrochemistry, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, shows reversible electrochemical switching from the DHP forms to the cyclophanediene (CPD) forms. Charge-transport behavior was assessed in single-molecule scanning tunneling microscope (STM) break junctions, combined with density functional theory-based quantum transport calculations. All DHPs with surface-contacting groups form stable molecular junctions. Experiments show that the molecular conductance depends on the substitution pattern of the DHP motif. The conductance was found to decrease with increasing applied bias.

Pharmacological and structure-activity relationship studies of oleoyl-lysophosphatidylinositol synthetic mimetics.

Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, are relentlessly spreading worldwide. The beginning of the 21st century has seen the introduction of mechanistically novel types of drugs, aimed primarily at keeping these pathologies under control. In particular, an important family of therapeutics exploits the beneficial physiology of the gut-derived glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), with important clinical benefits, from glycaemic control to cardioprotection. Nonetheless, these protein-based drugs act systemically as exogenous GLP-1 mimetics and are not exempt from side effects. The food-derived lipid oleoyl-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) is a potent GPR119-dependent GLP-1 secreting agent. Here we present a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of a synthetic library of oleoyl-LPI mimetics capable to induce the physiological release of GLP-1 from gastrointestinal enteroendocrine cells (EECs). The best lead compounds have shown potent and efficient release of GLP-1 in vitro from human and murine cells, and in vivo in diabetic db/db mice. We have also generated a molecular model of oleoyl-LPI, as well as its best performing analogues, interacting with the orthosteric site of GPR119, laying foundational evidence for their pharmacological activity.

Defining the Anti-Cancer Activity of Tricarbonyl Rhenium Complexes: Induction of G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Blockade of Aurora-A Kinase Phosphorylation.

Rhenium and ruthenium complexes containing N-heterocylic carbene (NHC) ligands and conjugated to indomethacin were prepared. The anticancer properties were probed against pancreatic cell lines, revealing a remarkable activity of the rhenium fragment as anticancer agent. The ruthenium complexes were found to be inactive against the same pancreatic cancer cell lines, either alone or in conjugation with indomethacin. An in-depth biological study revealed the origin of the anticancer properties of the rhenium tricarbonyl fragment, of which a complete elucidation had yet to be achieved. It was found that the rhenium complexes induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Aurora-A kinase. A preliminary study on the structure-activity relationship on a large family of these complexes revealed that the anticancer properties are mainly associated with the lability of the ancillary ligand, with inert complexes showing limited to no anticancer properties.

Photochemical Processes in a Rhenium(I) Tricarbonyl N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex Studied by Time-Resolved Measurements.

We carried out time-resolved infrared (TR-IR) and emission lifetime measurements on a Re(I) carbonyl complex having an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, namely, fac-[Re(CO)3(PyImPh)Br], under photochemically reactive (in solution in acetonitrile) and nonreactive (in solution in dichloromethane) conditions to investigate the mechanism of photochemical ligand substitution reactions. The TR-IR measurements revealed that no reaction occurs on a picosecond time scale and the cationic product, namely, fac-[Re(CO)3(PyImPh)(MeCN)]+, is produced on a nanosecond time scale only in solution in acetonitrile, which indicates that the reaction proceeds thermally from the excited state. Because no other products were observed by TR-IR, we concluded that this cationic product is an intermediate species for further reactions. The measurements of the temperature-dependent emission lifetime and analysis using transition-state theory revealed that the photochemical substitution reaction proceeds from a metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state, the structure of which allows the potential coordination of a solvent molecule. Thus, the coordinating capacity of the solvent determines whether the reaction proceeds or not. This mechanism is different from those of photochemical reactions of other types of Re(I) carbonyl complexes owing to the unique characteristics of the carbene ligand.

Record Multiphoton Absorption Cross-Sections by Dendrimer Organometalation.

Large increases in molecular two-photon absorption, the onset of measurable molecular three-photon absorption, and record molecular four-photon absorption in organic π-delocalizable frameworks are achieved by incorporation of bis(diphosphine)ruthenium units with alkynyl linkages. The resultant ruthenium alkynyl-containing dendrimers exhibit strong multiphoton absorption activity through the biological and telecommunications windows in the near-infrared region. The ligated ruthenium units significantly enhance solubility and introduce fully reversible redox switchability to the optical properties. Increasing the ruthenium content leads to substantial increases in multiphoton absorption properties without any loss of optical transparency. This significant improvement in multiphoton absorption performance by incorporation of the organometallic units into the organic π-framework is maintained when the relevant parameters are scaled by molecular weights or number of delocalizable π-electrons. The four-photon absorption cross-section of the most metal-rich dendrimer is an order of magnitude greater than the previous record value.

Syntheses, Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Studies of a Hybrid Tris{ruthenium(alkynyl)/(2-phenylpyridine)}iridium Complex.

The synthesis of fac-[Ir{N,C1'-(2,2'-NC5H4C6H3-5'-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-C≡CH)}3] (10), which bears pendant ethynyl groups, and its reaction with [RuCl(dppe)2]PF6 to afford the heterobimetallic complex fac-[Ir{N,C1'-(2,2'-NC5H4C6H3-5'-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-C≡C-trans-[RuCl(dppe)2])}3] (11) is described. Complex 10 is available from the two-step formation of iodo-functionalized fac-tris[2-(4-iodophenyl)pyridine]iridium(III) (6), followed by ligand-centered palladium-catalyzed coupling and desilylation reactions. Structural studies of tetrakis[2-(4-iodophenyl)pyridine-N,C1'](µ-dichloro)diiridium 5, 6, fac-[Ir{N,C1'-(2,2'-NC5H4C6H3-5'-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CH)}3] (8), and 10 confirm ligand-centered derivatization of the tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium unit. Electrochemical studies reveal two (5) or one (6­10) Ir-centered oxidations for which the potential is sensitive to functionalization at the phenylpyridine groups but relatively insensitive to more remote derivatization. Compound 11 undergoes sequential Ru-centered and Ir-centered oxidation, with the potential of the latter significantly more positive than that of Ir(N,C'-NC5H4-2-C6H4-2)3. Ligand-centered π­π* transitions characteristic of the Ir(N,C'-NC5H4-2-C6H4-2)3 unit red-shift and gain in intensity following the iodo and alkynyl incorporation. Spectroelectrochemical studies of 6, 7, 9, and 11 reveal the appearance in each case of new low-energy LMCT bands following formal IrIII/IV oxidation preceded, in the case of 11, by the appearance of a low-energy LMCT band associated with the formal RuII/III oxidation process. Emission maxima of 6­10 reveal a red-shift upon alkynyl group introduction and arylalkynyl π-system lengthening; this process is quenched upon incorporation of the ligated ruthenium moiety on proceeding to 11. Third-order nonlinear optical studies of 11 were undertaken at the benchmark wavelengths of 800 nm (fs pulses) and 532 nm (ns pulses), the results from the former suggesting a dominant contribution from two-photon absorption, and results from the latter being consistent with primarily excited-state absorption.

Synthesis and cellular uptake of neutral rhenium(I) morpholine complexes.

Morpholine motifs have been used extensively as targeting moieties for lysosomes, primarily in fluorescence imaging agents. Traditionally these imaging agents are based on organic molecules which have several shortcomings including small Stokes shifts, short emission lifetimes, and susceptibility to photobleaching. To explore alternative lysosome targeting imaging agents we have used a rhenium based phosphorescent platform which has been previously demonstrated to have an improved Stokes shift, a long lifetime emission, and is highly photostable. Rhenium complexes containing morpholine substituted ligands were designed to accumulate in acidic compartments. Two of the three complexes prepared exhibited bright emission in cells, when incubated at low concentrations (20 µM) and were non-toxic at concentrations as high as 100 µM, making them suitable for live cell imaging. We show that the rhenium complexes are amenable to chemical modification and that the morpholine targeted derivatives can be used for live cell confocal fluorescence imaging of endosomes-lysosomes.

Syntheses of pentanuclear group 6 iridium clusters by core expansion of tetranuclear clusters with Ir(CO)2(η5-C5Me4R) (R = H, Me).

Metal cluster core expansion at tetrahedral group 6-group 9 mixed-metal clusters MIr3(µ-CO)3(CO)8(η(5)-L) (M = W, Mo, L = C5H5; M = Mo, L = C5Me5) with the iridium capping reagents Ir(CO)2(η(5)-L') (L' = C5Me5, C5Me4H) in refluxing toluene afforded the trigonal-bipyramidal clusters MIr4(µ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-L') (M = Mo, L' = C5Me5, 1a; M = W, L' = C5Me5, 1b; M = Mo, L' = C5Me4H, 1c; M = W, L' = C5Me4H, 1d) and MoIr4(µ3-H)(µ-CO)2(µ-η(1):η(5)-CH2C5Me4)(CO)7(η(5)-C5Me5) (2). Related reactions with M2Ir2(µ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-L)2 (M = W, Mo, L = C5H5; M = Mo, L = C5Me5) afforded M2Ir3(µ-CO)3(CO)6(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-L') (M = Mo, L' = C5Me5, 3a; M = W, L' = C5Me5, 3b; M = Mo, L' = C5Me4H, 3c; M = W, L' = C5Me4H, 3d), W2Ir3(µ-CO)4(CO)5(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me4H) (4), and Mo2Ir3(µ-CO)3(CO)6(η(5)-C5Me5)3 (5). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1a-1d, 2, 3a-3d, and 4 confirmed their molecular structures, including the µ-η(1):η(5)-CH2C5Me4 ligand at hydrido cluster 2, derived from a C-H bond activation of one of the methyl groups. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were employed to suggest the structure of 5. The redox behavior of the new clusters was examined through cyclic voltammetry; all clusters exhibit oxidation and reduction processes (with respect to the resting state), with the oxidation processes being the more reversible, and increasingly so on decreasing Ir content of the clusters, replacing W by Mo, and increasing alkylation of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. In situ IR and UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemical studies of the reversible oxidation processes in 1a and 3a were undertaken, with the spectra of the former suggesting progression to an all-terminal CO geometry concomitant with the first oxidation and a significant structural change upon the second oxidation step. DFT studies of 1a revealed that its crystallographically-confirmed Mo-equatorial core geometry is essentially isoenergetic with a possible Mo-apical isomer, and identified several bridging CO structures for the charged states.

Divergent synthesis of ruthenium alkynyl dendrimers and a two-photon absorption cross-section dendritic effect.

Ruthenium alkynyl dendrimers up to second generation in size have been prepared by a divergent route and exploiting Sonogashira coupling. The cubic NLO properties have been examined by wide spectral range fs Z-scan studies, revealing an NLO dendritic effect. The significant increase in NLO properties seen on generation increase is maintained when the coefficients are scaled by the number of metal atoms, the dendrimer molecular weights, or the number of "effective" (delocalizable π) electrons in the dendritic structures.

Rhenium(I) conjugates as tools for tracking cholesterol in cells.

Cholesterol is vital to control membrane integrity and fluidity, but is also a precursor to produce steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. Consequently, altered cholesterol biology has been linked to many diseases, including metabolic syndromes and cancer. Defining the intracellular pools of cholesterol and its trafficking within cells is essential to understand both normal cell physiology and mechanisms of pathogenesis. We have synthesized a new cholesterol mimic (ReTEGCholestanol), comprising a luminescent rhenium metal complex and a cholestanol targeting unit, linked using a tetraethylene glycol (TEG) spacer. ReTEGCholestanol demonstrated favourable imaging properties and improved water solubility when compared to a cholesterol derivative, and structurally related probes lacking the TEG linker. A non-malignant and three malignant prostate cell lines were used to characterize the uptake and intracellular distribution of ReTEGCholestanol. The ReTEGCholestanol complex was effectively internalized and mainly localized to late endosomes/lysosomes in non-malignant PNT1a cells, while in prostate cancer cells it also accumulated in early endosomes and multivesicular bodies, suggesting disturbed cholesterol biology in the malignant cells. The ReTEGCholestanol is a novel imaging agent for visualizing endosomal uptake and trafficking, which may be used to define cholesterol related biology including membrane integration and altered lipid trafficking/processing.

Rhenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes block growth of aggressive cancers by inhibiting FGFR- and SRC-mediated signalling.

BACKGROUND: Platinum-based anticancer drugs have been at the frontline of cancer therapy for the last 40 years, and are used in more than half of all treatments for different cancer types. However, they are not universally effective, and patients often suffer severe side effects because of their lack of cellular selectivity. There is therefore a compelling need to investigate the anticancer activity of alternative metal complexes. Here we describe the potential anticancer activity of rhenium-based complexes with preclinical efficacy in different types of solid malignancies. METHODS: Kinase profile assay of rhenium complexes. Toxicology studies using zebrafish. Analysis of the growth of pancreatic cancer cell line-derived xenografts generated in zebrafish and in mice upon exposure to rhenium compounds. RESULTS: We describe rhenium complexes which block cancer proliferation in vitro by inhibiting the signalling cascade induced by FGFR and Src. Initially, we tested the toxicity of rhenium complexes in vivo using a zebrafish model and identified one compound that displays anticancer activity with low toxicity even in the high micromolar range. Notably, the rhenium complex has anticancer activity in very aggressive cancers such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and neuroblastoma. We demonstrate the potential efficacy of this complex via a significant reduction in cancer growth in mouse xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a basis for the development of rhenium-based chemotherapy agents with enhanced selectivity and limited side effects compared to standard platinum-based drugs.

Tricarbonyl rhenium(i) tetrazolato and N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: versatile visible-light-mediated photoredox catalysts.

We have investigated the capacity of a range of structurally-diverse, photoactive rhenium(i) tricarbonyl complexes featuring either tetrazolato or N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to facilitate fundamental classes of visible-light-mediated photoredox-catalysed reactions. In this study, we demonstrate that these systems mediate representative atom-transfer radical addition, hydrodehalogenation, and α-amino C-H functionalisation reactions. These rhenium(i) complexes provide greater or at least comparable reactivity to the prototypical photoredox catalyst [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in many cases.

Metal-based antitumor compounds: beyond cisplatin.

Despite improvements in the 5-year survival rate to over 80% in cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer, more aggressive tumors including pancreatic and brain cancer still have extremely low survival rates. The establishment of chemoresistance, responsible for the reduction in treatment efficiency and cancer relapse, is one possible explanation for this setback. Metal-based compounds, a class of anticancer drugs, are largely used in the treatment of cancer. Herein, we will review the use of metal-based small molecules in chemotherapy, focusing on recent studies, and we will discuss how new nonplatinum-based agents are prompting scientists to increase drug specificity to overcome chemoresistance in cancer cells.

Properties and prospects for rhenium(i) tricarbonyl N-heterocyclic carbene complexes.

Re(i) complexes bound to π-conjugated bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with formulation Re(CO)3(N^NHC)L (where N^NHC represents an imidazole or benzimidazole carbene ligand conjugated to a N-based heterocycle such as pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline or quinoxaline) are a relatively new class of complexes belonging to the archetypal family of well known luminescent Re(CO)3(diim)X species (where diim is a conjugated diimine ligand and X is a halogen anion). The complexes Re(CO)3(N^NHC)L are characterised by blue-shifted emission compared to Re(CO)3(diim)X, but with shorter excited state lifetime decays and lower quantum yields, in contrast to trends expected by the energy gap law. Detailed investigations elucidated that these complexes are photochemically active and undergo ligand exchange reactions when excited to their lowest metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited states. This mechanism is entirely different from previously known mechanisms of photoactivated ligand substitution reactions in Re(i) tricarbonyl complexes. Therefore, the species Re(CO)3(N^NHC)L represent a new and unique class of photoactive Re(i) complexes. This feature article illustrates the research effort dedicated to the design and synthesis of Re(CO)3(N^NHC)L complexes and the elucidation of their photophysical and photochemical behaviour by means of a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, for their unique characteristics, these new complexes have demonstrated potential value in several applications including catalysis, diagnosis and therapy. These studies will also be illustrated herein.

Lipid profiles of prostate cancer cells.

Lipids are important cellular components which can be significantly altered in a range of disease states including prostate cancer. Here, a unique systematic approach has been used to define lipid profiles of prostate cancer cell lines, using quantitative mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS), FTIR spectroscopy and fluorescent microscopy. All three approaches identified significant difference in the lipid profiles of the three prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, LNCaP and 22RV1) and one non-malignant cell line (PNT1a). Specific lipid classes and species, such as phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylethanolamine 18:1/16:0 and 18:1/18:1) and cholesteryl esters, detected by LC-ESI-MS/MS, allowed statistical separation of all four prostate cell lines. Lipid mapping by FTIR revealed that variations in these lipid classes could also be detected at a single cell level, however further investigation into this approach would be needed to generate large enough data sets for quantitation. Visualisation by fluorescence microscopy showed striking variations that could be observed in lipid staining patterns between cell lines allowing visual separation of cell lines. In particular, polar lipid staining by a fluorescent marker was observed to increase significantly in prostate cancer lines cells, when compared to PNT1a cells, which was consistent with lipid quantitation by LC-ESI-MS/MS and FTIR spectroscopy. Thus, multiple technologies can be employed to either quantify or visualise changes in lipid composition, and moreover specific lipid profiles could be used to detect and phenotype prostate cancer cells.

Silver(I), gold(I) and palladium(II) complexes of a NHC-pincer ligand with an aminotriazine core: a comparison with pyridyl analogues.

Dinuclear silver, di- and tetra-nuclear gold, and mononuclear palladium complexes with chelating C,N,C diethylaminotriazinyl-bridged bis(NHC) pincer ligands were prepared and characterised. The silver and gold complexes exist in a twisted, helical conformation in both the solution- and the solid state. In contrast, an analogous dinuclear gold complex with pyridyl-bridged NHCs exists in a linear conformation. Computational studies have been performed to rationalise the formation of twisted/helical vs. linear forms.

Imaging nuclear, endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane events in real time.

Live cell imaging can provide important information on cellular dynamics; however, the full utilisation of this technology has been hampered by the limitations of imaging reagents. Metal-based complexes have the potential to overcome many of the issues common to many current imaging agents. The rhenium (I)-based complex fac-[Re(CO)3 (1,10-phenanthroline)(4-pyridyltetrazolate)], herein referred to as ReZolve-ER(™) , shows promise as a live cell imaging agent with rapid cell uptake, low cytotoxicity, resistance to photobleaching and compatibility with multicolour imaging. ReZolve-ER(™) localised to the nuclear membrane/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and allowed the detection of exocytotic events at the plasma membrane. Thus, we present a new imaging agent for monitoring live cell events in real time, which is ideal for imaging either short- or long-time courses.

A Molecular Probe for the Detection of Polar Lipids in Live Cells.

Lipids have an important role in many aspects of cell biology, including membrane architecture/compartment formation, intracellular traffic, signalling, hormone regulation, inflammation, energy storage and metabolism. Lipid biology is therefore integrally involved in major human diseases, including metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, heart disease, immune disorders and cancers, which commonly display altered lipid transport and metabolism. However, the investigation of these important cellular processes has been limited by the availability of specific tools to visualise lipids in live cells. Here we describe the potential for ReZolve-L1™ to localise to intracellular compartments containing polar lipids, such as for example sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine. In live Drosophila fat body tissue from third instar larvae, ReZolve-L1™ interacted mainly with lipid droplets, including the core region of these organelles. The presence of polar lipids in the core of these lipid droplets was confirmed by Raman mapping and while this was consistent with the distribution of ReZolve-L1™ it did not exclude that the molecular probe might be detecting other lipid species. In response to complete starvation conditions, ReZolve-L1™ was detected mainly in Atg8-GFP autophagic compartments, and showed reduced staining in the lipid droplets of fat body cells. The induction of autophagy by Tor inhibition also increased ReZolve-L1™ detection in autophagic compartments, whereas Atg9 knock down impaired autophagosome formation and altered the distribution of ReZolve-L1™. Finally, during Drosophila metamorphosis fat body tissues showed increased ReZolve-L1™ staining in autophagic compartments at two hours post puparium formation, when compared to earlier developmental time points. We concluded that ReZolve-L1™ is a new live cell imaging tool, which can be used as an imaging reagent for the detection of polar lipids in different intracellular compartments.

Rhenium tetrazolato complexes coordinated to thioalkyl-functionalised phenanthroline ligands: synthesis, photophysical characterisation, and incubation in live HeLa cells.

Three new complexes of formulation fac-[Re(CO)3(diim)L], where diim is either 1,10-phenanthroline or 1,10-phenanthroline functionalised at position 5 by a thioalkyl chain, and L is either a chloro or aryltetrazolato ancillary ligand, were synthesised and photophysically characterised. The complexes exhibit phosphorescent emission with maxima around 600 nm, originating from triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer states with partially mixed ligand-to-ligand charge transfer character. The emission is relatively long-lived, within the 200-400 ns range, and with quantum yields of 2-4%. The complexes were trialed as cellular markers in live HeLa cells, along with two previously reported rhenium tetrazolato complexes bound to unsubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline. All five complexes exhibit good cellular uptake and non-specific perinuclear localisation. Upon excitation at 405 nm, the emission from the rhenium complexes could be clearly distinguished from autofluorescence, as demonstrated by spectral detection within the live cells. Four of the complexes did not appear to be toxic, however prolonged excitation could result in membrane blebbing. No major sign of photobleaching was detected upon multiple imaging on the same cell sample.