PLGA-PEG-supported Pd nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions in water

Abstract

Chemical transformations that can be performed selectively under physiological conditions are highly desirable tools to track biomolecules and manipulate complex biological processes. Here, we report a new nanocatalyst consisting of small palladium nanoparticles stabilized on the surface of PLGA-PEG nanoparticles that show excellent catalytic activity for the modification of biological building blocks through Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions in water. Brominated or iodinated amino acids were coupled with aryl boronic acids in phosphate buffer in good yields. Interestingly, up to 98% conversion into the coupled amino acid could be achieved in 2 h at 37°C using the stable, water-soluble cyclic triolborate as organometallic partner in the presence of only 1 mol% of palladium. These results pave the way for the modification of biomolecules in complex biological systems such as the intracellular space.