NHC-gold(I)-alkyne complexes induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell death through bioorthogonal activation by palladium complex in living system

Bioorthogonal reactions can take place in biological environments without interfering with biochemical processes. In this study, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 was used as a bioorthogonal catalyst to in situ transform the stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-gold(I)-alkyne complex 5 to its active species which can effectively inhibit thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and exhibit significant anticancer bioactivity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).