Mechanistic studies of visible light-induced CO release from a 3-hydroxybenzo[]quinolone.

Organic compounds that can be triggered using light to release CO in biological environments are of significant current interest to probe the role of CO in biology and as potential therapeutics. We recently reported that a 3-hydroxybenzo[]quinolone (5) can be used as a CO delivery molecule to produce anticancer and potent anti-inflammatory effects. Herein we report mechanistic studies of the visible light-induced CO release reaction of this compound.