13:00 -14:00
Weds 23 November, 2022

PLT, Science concourse

Profs. Sadler and Wills present on RSC 2022 Dalton Division Horizon Prize-winning research. This is a departmental lecture for all students and staff. Please come along. Refreshments will be provided after the seminar.

"In-Cell Organometallic Redox Catalysis"

We are exploring the use of synthetic transition metal catalysts that might carry out unusual reactions in cells and provide platforms for the design of novel drugs.

Half-sandwich Ru(II) arene sulfonyldiamine transfer hydrogenation catalysts can reduce coenzyme NAD+ to NADH in cancer cells using non-toxic formate as a hydride source. We have introduced Os(II) analogues that are readily synthesized, more stable and often more efficient 16-electron catalysts. DFT calculations have revealed the sequential transfer of hydride and then a proton to an acetophenone substrate. Chiral organo-Os(II) complexes can catalyse conversion of pyruvate to unnatural D-lactate in cancer cells using formate as hydride source. Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence methods allow mapping of the catalyst in intact cancer cells. Half-sandwich Ir(III) Cp* catalysts can create oxidative stress in cells by converting NADH to NAD+, and octahedral Ir(III) photocatalysts can convert NADH to NAD. radicals with high efficiency.