Synthesis of polystyrene microspheres and functionalization with [Pd.sup.0] nanoparticles to perform bioorthogonal organometallic chemistry in living cells

We have developed miniaturized heterogeneous [Pd.sup.0]-catalysts ([Pd.sup.0]-microspheres) with the ability to enter cells, stay harmlessly within the cytosol and mediate efficient bioorthogonal organometallic chemistries (e.g., allylcarbamate cleavage a [Pd.sup.0]-microspheres from readily available starting materials (by the synthesis of size-controlled amino-functionalized polystyrene microspheres), as well as for their characterization (electron microscopy and palladium quantitation) and functional validation ('in solution' and 'in cytoplasm' conversions). From the beginning of the synthesis to functional evaluation of the catalytic device requires 5 d of work.