fac-[Re(bipy)(CO)3(MMPP)]

fac-[Re(bipy)(CO)3(MMPP)] is a neutral rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complex featuring a 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) ligand and a sulfur-donor ligand derived from methyl 2-mercaptopropionate (MMPP). In contrast to other rhenium complexes designed for anti-proliferative activity, this specific complex (referred to as 1a in research literature) is characterized as stable and non-toxic to human breast cancer cell lines such as MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Its primary utility lies in its role as a multimodal organelle probe for cellular imaging. It exhibits phosphorescence (λex = 405 nm, λem = 470-570 nm) and demonstrates specific intracellular localization, initially targeting lysosomes and later migrating to mitochondria. The complex is being developed for advanced imaging applications, including phosphorescence microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy (utilizing its carbonyl groups as tags), and X-ray fluorescence microscopy (via the rhenium tag).

Other names

fac-[Re(bipy)(CO)3(SC(Me)C(O)OMe)]fac-tricarbonyl(2,2'-bipyridine)(methyl 2-mercaptopropionato)rhenium(I)