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

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.