Copper(I)‐Chelated Cross‐Linked Cyclen Micelles as a Nanocatalyst for Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition in Both Water and Cells

Abstract

Abstract Featuring the dendrimer‐like properties, the cross‐linked small‐molecule micelles (cSMs) have been shown to be a good alternative to dendrimers in many applications. Following this trend, herein the copper(I)‐chelated cross‐linked cyclen micelles (Cu I @cCMs) were created as a nanocatalyst for azide‐alkyne cycloaddition. Both alkynes and azides with diverse structures performed with excellent reactivity in water at the parts‐per‐million (ppm) catalyst usage. Recycle experiments disclosed that the nanocatalyst had only slight decrease of catalytic efficiency after reusing many times. Importantly, the Cu I @cCMs could easily enter cells and carry out the intracellular catalysis for lighting up and/or killing cancer cells. magnified image