Theoretical Investigation of Novel Nitrogen-Heterocyclic Iridium(III) Polypyridyl Complexes as Photosensitizers for Two-Photon Photodynamic Therapy

J Med Chem. 2024 Oct 24;67(20):18157-18169. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01292. Epub 2024 Oct 5.

Abstract

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) has become a major cancer treatment due to its larger tissue penetration depth, good spatial selectivity, and less damage to normal cells. In this contribution, a series of novel photosensitizer molecules (Ir-2, Ir-2-1Ir-2-4) have been designed based on the experimentally demonstrated photosensitizer [Ir(ppy)2(osip)] (PF6) by fine tuning the π-conjugated structure and introducing different nitrogen-heterocyclic substituents. The electronic structures, one- and two-photon absorption spectra, triplet excited state lifetime, solvation-free energy, and photosensitizing performance were evaluated by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The results suggested that the molecule Ir-2, incorporating thiophene as the π-connecting group, exhibits a higher probability of triplet state formation, enhanced two-photon absorption cross-section, and prolonged triplet state lifetime. Furthermore, the four designed nitrogen-heterocyclic complexes Ir-2-1Ir-2-4 demonstrate favorable photosensitizing properties, with two-photon absorption cross-sections reaching up to 110 GM and triplet excited state lifetimes exceeding 1000 μs for Ir-2-4.

MeSH terms

  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology
  • Coordination Complexes / radiation effects
  • Density Functional Theory
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Iridium* / chemistry
  • Iridium* / pharmacology
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitrogen* / chemistry
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photons*
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacology

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Iridium
  • Nitrogen
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Pyridines