Iron-Based CO Releasing Molecules (CORMs) with multidentate organic amides

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Westerhausen
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2016 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 319916811

Carbon monoxide (CO) represents an important signaling molecule. Due to the extreme toxicity of gaseous CO if inhaled sophisticated strategies have to be developed in order to use this gaseous messenger molecule in cellular tissues. The most promising strategies include the use of carbonyl complexes of transition metals (CO-releasing molecules, CORMs). In this project we aim to synthesize optimized CO complexes that release carbon monoxide upon induction (e.g. irradiation with visible light) at the predetermined disease site. Certain requirements have to be fulfilled by these CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) such as water solubility, triggered CO release, and non-toxicity of the complexes as well as their degradation products. In order to study the CO release mechanism, iron complexes with different polyamide ligand environments and varying carbonyl content will be prepared. Photosensitization of iron carbonyl complexes to visible light and CO release kinetics will be studied. Therefore our research will focus on iron carbonyl complexes, NMR spectroscopy will be used in order to investigate the mechanisms of CO liberation. Kinetic measurements will be performed using IR, Raman, and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Jordan
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Taghreed Marwan Jazzazi