Fig. 1.

A self-reproducing catalyst drives triazole phospholipid synthesis and membrane growth. (A) The oligotriazole TLTA (ligand) is capable of binding Cu¹⁺ ions to form a catalytic complex (catalyst). The copper complex catalyzes the synthesis of new ligand from 1-azidododecane (azide) and tripropargylamine (alkyne scaffold), which, upon metallation, produces additional catalytic molecules. (B) The copper complex also catalyzes the formation of triazole phospholipid from 1-azidododecane (azide) and an alkyne modified lysolipid. (C) Membrane-embedded catalysts act on azide and alkyne reactive precursors, synthesizing additional phospholipid and oligotriazole ligands, which, upon metallation, become new catalysts. For purposes of illustration, precursors, catalyst ,and triazole phospholipid are only depicted on one leaflet.