Nanostructured Heterogeneous Catalysts for Bioorthogonal Reactions.

Bioorthogonal chemistry has inspired a new subarea of artificial chemistry providing a powerful tool to perform novel biocompatible chemospecific reactions in living systems. Complying with the premise that they do not interfere with biological functions, bioorthogonal reactions are increasingly applied in biomedical research, particularly with respect to genetic encoding systems, fluorogenic reactions for bioimaging, or cancer therapy. This review compiles recent advances in the use of heterogeneous catalysts for bioorthogonal reactions. The synthetic strategies of Pd, Au, and Cu-based materials, their applicability in the activation of caged fluorophores and prodrugs, and the possibilities of using external stimuli to release therapeutic substances within a specific location of a diseased tissue are discussed. Finally, we highlight frontiers in the field, identifying challenges, and propose directions for future development in this emerging field.