Organoiridium-catalyzed bioorthogonal chemistry

Abstract

“Bioorthogonal chemistry” refers to chemical reactions between functional groups not generally present in biological systems and can occur under physiological conditions without interfering with or affecting the surrounding biochemical processes. Metal-catalyzed bioorthogonal chemistry has emerged as a powerful tool in chemical biology, and biomedicine to establish new-to-nature reactions in living systems. Over the past decade, iridium-catalyzed bioorthogonal reactions in the biological environment have made significant progress, which has gained immense traction in this field. Iridium-promoted bioorthogonal chemistry in the complex cellular milieu has exhibited widespread applications, including intracellular probe release, protein labeling, prodrug activation, intracellular redox imbalance, etc. In this Review, we have summarized the development of organoiridium catalysts for various intracellular chemical transformations and their applications in living settings. Further, the evolution of iridium complexes as (photo)catalytic anticancer agents has been discussed. Additionally, this Review provided several future opportunities, thus paving the way for further designing of organoiridium catalysts for potential applications in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.