Methods for treating a bioprosthetic tissue are described herein. The methods comprise contacting the bioprosthetic tissue with at least one nucleophile and/or at least one electrophile in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one or a combination of a fluoride-based salt, a cesium-based salt, a potassium-based salt, a rubidium-based salt, or a carbonate-based salt. The methods may be used to alter functional groups on biological tissue which represent actual and potential calcium binding sites and also processes for cross-linking bioprosthetic tissue. Both processes may be used in conjunction with known fixative techniques, such as glutaraldehyde fixation, or may be used to replace known fixative techniques.
