Metal–Carbohydrate Interactions/Complexes

Abstract

This review introduces recent progress related to carbohydrate–metal interactions and carbohydrate‐based metal complexes. Carbohydrates are ubiquitous natural resources with highly diverse and ordered structures that serve as valuable material pools for life science and fine chemicals. In this context, efficient methods for degradation and molecular transformations of natural polysaccharides into useful compounds promoted by metal–carbohydrate interactions have been investigated. Carbohydrate‐bearing metal complexes exhibit several benefits including targeting to specific cells, enhanced cellular uptake, water solubility, and chirality. Such properties of carbohydrate–metal complexes are utilized in chemotherapy, imaging, catalysis, and other material sciences. Platinum and other metal complexes with carbohydrate ligands as anticancer agents, carbohydrate‐based drug candidates against Alzheimer's diseases, and photosensitizers are possible medicinal applications. Fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and radioactivity of carbohydrate‐based metal complexes are frequently used modalities for molecular imaging. In addition, many carbohydrate–metal complexes are used as catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. These attractive properties of carbohydrate–metal interactions and carbohydrate‐conjugated metal complexes will provide new frontiers in material and life sciences in the future.

Carbohydrate recognition using metal–ligand assemblies

“…5,6,24 However, interactions of carbohydrates with almost all transition metals are difficult to study due to the complicated stereochemistry and weak coordinating capabilities of polyhydroxy compounds. 25 The binding of carbohydrates to metal ions is highly competitive in an aqueous medium because the hydroxyl groups of sugars are similar to a cluster of water molecules. Various strategies have been designed to overcome competitive binding in water; for example, the functionalisation of sugars with chelating ligands, amine groups acting as strong directing ligands, and anionic sugars can be targeted by additional strategies based on ion pairing interactions because of their intrinsic negative charge.…”

Carbohydrate‐Appended TQNPEN [N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrakis(2‐quinolylmethyl)‐3‐aza‐1,5‐pentanediamine] Derivatives for Fluorescence Detection of Intracellular Cd2+

“…Carbohydrates are an important energy source and expected to enhance cell membrane permeability and water solubility , . Pendant carbohydrates are also known to reduce the toxicity of compounds .…”

“…Carbohydrates are an important energy source and expected to enhance cell membrane permeability and water solubility , . Pendant carbohydrates are also known to reduce the toxicity of compounds . In this context, the development of small‐molecule fluorescent glycoprobes for the detection of ions and biomacromolecules is of significant interest .…”

“…[27,28] Pendant carbohydrates are also known to reduce the toxicity of compounds. [27][28][29][30] In this context, the development of small-molecule fluorescent glycoprobes for the detection of ions and biomacromolecules is of significant interest. [31][32][33][34][35] In OH groups with sodium methoxide (Scheme 2).…”