The use of transition metal complexes as bioorthogonal catalysts is gaining popularity as a potentially powerful method to introduce unnatural reaction pathways inside living organisms. The successful implementation of such strategies requires selection of metal compounds that are not only biocompatible (air/water stable, non-toxic) and chemoselective but also location specific. Toward this latter goal, we are exploring a general approach for the design of small molecule precatalysts that can undergo environment-triggered activation without the need for targeting groups or nanoparticle delivery vehicles. We will demonstrate this strategy on the catalytic cleavage of anti-cancer prodrugs.

Transition-metal catalysis in living systems: Biocompatibility, chemoselectivity, and location specificity

248th National Meeting (2014)

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