Ir(III) and Ru(II) Complexes in Photoredox Catalysis and Photodynamic Therapy: A New Paradigm Towards Anti-cancer Applications

Individually, photoredox catalysis (PC) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are well-established concepts that have experienced a remarkable resurgence over past years, leading to significant progress in organic synthesis for PC and clinical approval of anticancer drugs for PDT, respectively. But, very recently, new photoredox catalyst systems based on Ir(III) and Ru(II) complexes have garnered significant interest in cancer cells that can simultaneously be used as PDT agents apart from their demonstrated PC activity. This highlight discusses the unique PC behavior of emerging Ir(III) and Ru(II) based systems while also examining their potential PDT activity in cancer treatment.