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A Self-locked β-Cyclodextrin-rhodamine B Spirolactam with Photoswitching Properties
Stylianos Panagiotakis1, Emmanuel Saridakis1, Milo Malanga2
1Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Patr. Grigoriou & 27 Neapoleos St., Aghia Paraskevi, 15341, Attiki, Greece.
Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|November 25, 2021
Summary
This study presents a novel photoresponsive nanosystem, Rho-βCD, which exhibits controllable photoswitching and improved photostability. This self-assembled nanostructure shows promise for super-resolution bioimaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Nanoscience
- Materials science
Background:
- Supramolecular organization and self-assembly are crucial for nanosystem functionality.
- Rhodamine B (Rho) derivatives are often used in imaging but can suffer from photostability issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel self-assembled nanostructure, (6-spirolactam rhodamine B-6-monodeoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (Rho-βCD).
- To investigate the photoresponsive properties and photostability of Rho-βCD.
- To explore its potential applications in super-resolution bioimaging.
Main Methods:
- Covalent conjugation of rhodamine B derivative with β-cyclodextrin.
- X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structural analysis.
- UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy to study photoswitching behavior.
Main Results:
- Rho-βCD forms a rigid, self-included nanostructure stable in both crystal and aqueous solution.
- The nanosystem exhibits controllable photoswitching between fluorescent and non-fluorescent states.
- Improved photostability was observed due to the self-locked arrangement of Rho within the β-cyclodextrin cavity.
Conclusions:
- Rho-βCD is a water-soluble, photoresponsive nanosystem with enhanced photostability.
- Its unique self-assembled structure enables controllable photoswitching.
- Shows significant potential for applications in super-resolution bioimaging.

