An Introduction to Organometallic Complexes in Fluorescence Cell Imaging: Current Applications and Future Prospects

An introduction to the applications of organometallic complexes in fluorescence cell imaging is presented. A brief summary of the chemical and photophysical properties which enable such applications is given, along with descriptions of the structures and properties of the commonest families of complexes encountered in such applications: i.e. rhenium tricarbonyls and iridium cyclometalates. The unique features which qualify these organometallics as suitable imaging agents are identified with contrasts drawn with analogues from other fields of coordination chemistry. A summary of structural diversity and cellular properties is given for each of these classes of agents, along with rarer examples of other metals, and future prospects and challenges are discussed.