Toward multifunctional anticancer therapeutics: post-synthetic carbonate functionalisation of asymmetric Au() bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes

A post-synthetic strategy is reported that allows for functionalisation of Au( i )-bis NHCs via carbonate formation. The scope of this methodology was explored using both aromatic and aliphatic alcohols. As a demonstration of potential utility, the fluorescent Au( i )-bis NHC conjugate 5 was prepared; it was found to have enhanced stability when formulated with bovine serum albumin, localise within the mitochondria of A549 cells and do so without compromising the high cytotoxicity seen for the parent Au( i )-bis NHC system. A post-synthetic strategy is reported that permits functionalization of Au( i )-bis NHCs via carbonate formation and synthesis of a potential multifunctional anticancer therapeutic.