Organometallic-Nanoparticle Constructs as CO-Release Theranostics: An Evaluation with Some Group 7 and 8 Metals

A central issue with the use of transition metal carbonyl complexes in CO-release medical therapy centers around the attendant side effects associated with the products after CO release (iCORMs). In this study, we examined the feasibility of an organometallic-nanoparticle (AuNP@OM) construct as a means to stabilize the iCORM of a photoactivable CO-releasing molecule (photoCORM), as well as for tracking. Four metal carbonyl complexes comprising a group 7 or 8 metal and bearing the 3-di(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[g]quinoxaline (dpb) ligand were assessed, along with their AuNP@OM constructs, for such use.