Water-soluble octahedral molybdenum cluster compounds Na2[Mo6I8(N3)6] and Na2[Mo6I8(NCS)6]: Syntheses, luminescence, and in vitro studies

A study of the photophysical and biological properties of octahedral molybdenum cluster compounds in aqueous solutions was carried out. New compounds Na2[Mo6I8(N3)6] and Na2[Mo6I8(NCS)6] have red luminescence and produce O2(1Δg) in high quantum yields. In vitro assay revealed high cytotoxicity and limited uptake by HeLa and HEK 293T cells.