Uncaging a catalytic hydrogen peroxide generator through the photo-induced release of nitric oxide from a {MnNO}6 complex

Abstract

The photo-initiated cytotoxicity of a newly developed manganese nitrosyl {MnNO}⁶ complex (UG1NO) to HeLa cells is described. The complex was found to be strongly cytotoxic after being exposed to light with a wavelength of 650 nm. Cell death was caused by a manganese(II) complex, UG1, generated from UG1NO through the photo-dissociation of NO, rather than by NO directly. Mechanistic studies revealed that UG1 consumes O₂ only in the presence of a reducing agent to catalytically produce H₂O₂.