Luminescent iridium(III) arylbenzothiazole complexes: Photophysics, electrochemistry, bioconjugation, and cellular uptake

► We report a novel luminescent iridium(III) arylbenzothiazole isothiocyanate complex. ► The photophysics and electrochemistry have been investigated. ► The bioconjugation, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity have also been studied. ► Modification of the complex can perturb its biological properties. ► It offers new possibilities in the design of new biological reagents.