Supramolecular Radical Anions Triggered by Bacteria In Situ for Selective Photothermal Therapy

A supramolecular complex that can be selectively reduced to radical anions in situ by facultative anaerobic bacteria is reported. To this end, a water-soluble bifunctional monomer bearing perylene diimide was synthesized, and its supramolecular complex with cucurbit[7]uril was fabricated on the basis of host-guest complexation, which could be reduced to forming radical anions in the presence of E. coli. It was found that this supramolecular complex could display different ability of generating radical anions by facultative anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in terms of their various reductive abilities. The selective antibacterial activity of the supramolecular complex could be realized by the photothermal performance of the radical anions under near-infrared irradiation. It is anticipated that this method may lead to a novel bacteria-responsive photothermal therapy to regulate balance of bacterial flora.