Glyco-conjugated ternary iron (III) complexes having phenolate and planar aromatic groups were found to be more photocytotoxic in HeLa cells due to their preferential internalization compared to the noncarbohydrate analogue. Photoactivation of the phenolate-to-iron (III) charge-transfer band in red light leads to photocytotoxicity of the complexes by ROS generation.
