Tracking the multiple-step formation of an iron(III) complex and its application in photodynamic therapy for breast cancer

A tandem reaction of pyridin-2-ylmethanamine (L1′) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carbaldehyde (HL1) assisted by FeCl3 was observed to give the new nitrogen heterocycle HL3 (HL3=2-(imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)quinolin-8-ol) as its Fe(III) complex, [Fe(L3)Cl2] (Fel). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) reveals its formation involves three steps: (1) coordination of both HL1 and Ll′ to Fe, (2) aldehyde-amine coupling, and (3) ring closure. The results of electronic absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show the proximity of the optical transition energy to that of the excitation of 3O2 to 1O2, which prompted us to explore its application as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Photo-toxicity studies show that Fel exhibits the highest anti-proliferation efficiency in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells under light irradiation. Moreover, studies with orthotopic models of breast cancer further expounded the anti-tumor activity of Fe1 with no significant toxicity to other organs and low retention in the body.