Visible-light photoredox catalyzed 1,2-arylalkylation of alkenes with quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and malonic esters has been developed through direct C(sp²)–H/C(sp³)–H functionalization under mild conditions.

This study describes an efficient and green approach for the synthesis of potentially bioactive pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones with appreciable functional group tolerance and a wide substrate scope.

Niacin-ligated platinum(IV)–ruthenium(II) chimeric complexes (PtRu 1–4) have been synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor performance. Using the optimal complex, PtRu-1, we show that this water-soluble chimeric prodrug not only potently inhibits the metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells but also has an unexpectedly higher safety margin in animals compared with the traditionally-used, clinically approved drug cisplatin.

In this study, we designed and synthesized four novel multi-nuclear silver complexes (1–4) coordinated with pyrazole- or pyridine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. The crystal structures of the silver–NHC complexes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. In vitro assays showed that the silver–NHC complexes effectively killed a broad range of cancer cells after short-term drug exposure, serving as fast-acting cytotoxic agents. Of note, in cisplatin-resistant A549 cancer cells, the silver complexes were not cross-resistant with the clinically used cisplatin agent. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that complex 2 triggered caspase-independent cell necrosis associated with intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depletion. By exploiting a facile nano-assembly process, silver–NHC complexes 1, 2 and 4 were successfully integrated into the hydrophobic cores of amphiphilic matrices (DSPE-PEG_2K), enabling systemic injection. The silver complex-loaded nanotherapeutics (1-NPs, 2-NPs, and 4-NPs) showed high safety margins with reduced systemic drug toxicities relative to cisplatin in animals. Furthermore, in a xenograft model of human colorectal cancer, the administration of the nanotherapeutics resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor progression.