Transfer hydrogenation catalysis in cells

Abstract

. Organometallic catalysts can achieve enantioselectivity, and moreover can be active in living cells, which is surprising on account of the variety of poisons present. Such catalysts can induce reductive stress using formate as hydride source or oxidative stress by accepting hydride from NAD(P)H. In some cases, photocatalytic redox reactions can be induced by light absorption at metal or flavin centres. These artificial transformations can interfere in biochemical pathways in unusual ways, and are the basis for the design of metallodrugs with novel mechanisms of action.

Topics & Concepts