Stimuli-responsive cycloaurated "OFF-ON" switchable anion transporters.

Anion transporters have shown potential application as anti-cancer agents that function by disrupting homeostasis and triggering cell death. In this research article we report switchable anion transport by gold complexes of anion transporters that are 'switched on' in situ in the presence of the reducing agent GSH by decomplexation of gold. GSH is found in higher concentrations in tumours than in healthy tissue and hence this approach offers a strategy to target these systems to tumours.