A method of making a macrocyclic chelator comprising converting Co(II)Cl.sub.2 to a stabilized Co(III) complex, reacting the Co(III) complex with a cyclen ligand comprising a carboxylic acid or a methyl benzoic acid moiety through which amine bond formation with a primary amine can be achieved and reacting the Co(III) cyclen carboxylic acid or methyl benzoic acid complex with a suitable modified oligonucleotide to form a sequence-specific gene silencing moiety. A method comprising coordinating a kinetically inert ion to a macrocyclic chelator or ligand, bonding a first functional group, reacting with an oligonucleotide, bonding a second functional group, attaching the first functional group to the second functional group, binding the macrocyclic chelator to a target thus inhibiting translation, wherein the macrocyclic chelator hydrolyzes a photodiester bond.