Organometallic iridium arene compounds: The effects of C-donor ligands on anticancer activity

In the past decade, libraries of iridium organometallic arene compounds have expanded rapidly, with the majority of their applications aimed towards effective catalysts and potential anti-cancer drug candidates. Researchers have begun to adapt the traditional “piano-stool” structures to include different bidentate ligands, ancillary ligands and extend the aromaticity and functionality of the arene substituent, all in the hope to optimize their activities and allow the determination of structure activity relationships. Many of the complexes incorporate N- and O-donor ligands, but more recently, these structures have been expanded to include C-donor ligands such as cyclometalated bidentate ligands and N-heterocyclic carbenes. This mini-review highlights the recent and ongoing research in C-donor iridium arene complexes, and discusses their importance as potential anticancer drugs.