We have shown in our previous work that the conversion of aldehydes to alcohols can be achieved using “unprotected” iridium transfer hydrogenation catalysts inside living cells. In this presentation, we describe our efforts to study the intracellular interactions of our iridium catalysts with endogenous species and explore strategies to increase the catalyst’s activity inside cells. We have prepared pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium(III) complexes that feature covalently attached fluorophores, which will allow their visualization in cells by fluorescence microscopy. These new Ir catalyst-probe conjugates were characterized by NMR, HR-MS, X-ray crystallography and their catalytic efficiencies were tested in transfer hydrogenation. The effects of intracellular glutathione and reactive oxygen species on catalyst activity will be investigated.  Our fluorescent organiridium complexes can be further modified with organelle-targeting groups for various disease treatment applications.  <br/>

Mechanistic insights into intracellular transfer hydrogenation by unprotected organoiridium catalysts

255th National Meeting (2018)

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