Cyclometallated iridium phosphors with amino acid ancillary ligand for intracellular imaging

Two neutral iridium(III) complexes with l-alanine as ancillary ligand were applied practically in cell imaging as the phosphorescent agent due to the fine biocompatibility and water solubility. The imaging experiments in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells demonstrate that these Ir(III) complexes can be utilized in aqueous cell culture media and intracellular microenvironment.