Diketonato based ferrocene appended cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes: Anti-microbial and anti-cancer studies

Three newly synthesized ferrocene appended cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes (1, 2 and 3) were characterized by FT-IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR, LCMS spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The electrochemical studies suggested that all of the ferrocene appended iridium complexes exhibited two quasi-reversible one-electron oxidations. The antimicrobial activities of samples were evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans). The complex 1 and 2 showed a significant zone of inhibition with potent bactericidal and fungicidal activities. The cytotoxic effects of the synthesized complexes (1-3) were studied by the MTT method against two different human cell lines (normal kidney cell line HEK293 and liver cancer cell line HepG2). The complex 1 showed the best cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cells among all the synthesized complexes. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Three newly synthesized ferrocene-appended cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes showed promising antimicrobial activities against various bacteria and fungi, with complexes 1 and 2 exhibiting strong bactericidal and fungicidal effects. In addition, complex 1 displayed the highest cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cells among all the synthesized complexes.