Bioorthogonal Iridium(III) Complexes: A New Frontier of Luminescent Iridium(III) Complexes for Biomedical Applications

Bioorthogonal chemistry has revolutionized the study of biological processes by enabling selective reactions with minimal interference from native biomolecules. Among the diverse range of bioorthogonal regents, iridium(III) complexes have emerged as exceptionally versatile clickable molecules due to their tunable photophysical properties, high stability under physiological conditions, and unique reactivity. In this review, we systematically reviewed recent advances in the design and application of bioorthogonal iridium(III) complexes in bioimaging, theranostics, catalysis, and protein profiling. We also discussed key challenges and future directions for the application of iridium(III) complexes in bioorthogonal chemistry.