Copper-based metal-organic framework catalytic sites (Cu-MOF catalytic sites)

Copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) catalytic sites are the redox-active metal centers, typically Cu2+ or Cu+, embedded within a porous, crystalline coordination network (nih.gov, 2026; acs.org, 2026). These sites function as "nanozymes," exhibiting enzyme-mimetic activities such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase-like functions (mdpi.com, 2023; nih.gov, 2024). In therapeutic applications, they are primarily utilized in chemodynamic therapy (CDT), where they catalyze the conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals to induce apoptosis in cancer cells or eliminate pathogenic bacteria (nih.gov, 2026; nih.gov, 2025; mdpi.com, 2025). Beyond ROS generation, these catalytic sites can facilitate bioorthogonal reactions, such as the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), for the localized synthesis of drugs within specific subcellular compartments like mitochondria (researchgate.net, 2019). They also serve as versatile platforms for the storage and delivery of therapeutic gases, such as medical oxygen, and small-molecule drugs (acs.org, 2025; nih.gov, 2025). While promising for oncology and infectious diseases, the clinical translation of Cu-MOF catalytic sites is hindered by concerns regarding the leaching of copper ions, which can cause systemic toxicity, and the potential for off-target oxidative stress in healthy tissues (nih.gov, 2026; mdpi.com, 2025).

Other names

Cu-MOF active sitesCopper-based nanozymesHKUST-1 catalytic sitesMOF-199 catalytic sitesCopper-based coordination polymer sites

Catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton-like reactions; Mimicking natural antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD); Bioorthogonal catalysis for in situ drug synthesis.