1,10-phenanthroline

1,10‑Phenanthroline is a synthetic heterocyclic organic compound with the formula C₁₂H₈N₂. It is a white to light yellow crystalline powder at room temperature and is moderately soluble in water and various organic solvents[3][6]. The molecule features two nitrogen atoms at the 1 and 10 positions of a three-ringed aromatic system. It acts as a bidentate ligand in coordination chemistry, forming stable colored complexes with many metal ions—most notably iron(II), where it forms the red complex ferroin[2][5]. In biochemistry and pharmacology research, it serves as an inhibitor of metallopeptidases (notably carboxypeptidase A) by chelating essential metal ions such as zinc from enzyme active sites[1][8]. It also inhibits deubiquitination enzymes like Rpn11[2], displays antimicrobial activity[3][5], can prevent chromosomal aberrations induced by certain chemicals[6], and has been studied for potential anticancer properties through its DNA cleavage activity when complexed with metals[7]. While widely used as an analytical reagent for metal ion detection and quantification due to its colorimetric properties, it is not approved or marketed as a pharmaceutical drug for any disease indication in humans[4].

Other names

o-Phenanthrolineortho-phenantrolineβ-phenantroline4,5-diazaphenanthrene4,5-phenantroline1,10-o-phenantrolinephenanthrolinephen (abbreviation)