Wavelength engineerable porous organic polymer photosensitizers with protonation triggered ROS generation

Engineering excitation wavelength of photosensitizers (PSs) for enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation has inspired new windows for opportunities, enabling investigation of previously impracticable biomedical and photocatalytic applications. However, controlling the wavelength corresponding to operating conditions remains challenging while maintaining high ROS generation. To address this challenge, we implement a wavelength-engineerable imidazolium-based porous organic photocatalytic ROS generation system (KUP system) via a cost-effective one-pot reaction. Remarkably, the optimal wavelength for maximum performance can be tuned by modifying the linker, generating ROS despite the absence of metal ions and covalently attached heavy atoms. We demonstrate that protonated polymerization exclusively enables photosensitization and closely interacts with oxygen related to the efficiency of photosensitizing. Furthermore, superior tumor eradication and biocompatibility of the KUP system were confirmed through bioassays. Overall, the results document an unprecedented polymerization method capable of engineering wavelength, providing a potential basis for designing nanoscale photosensitizers in various ROS-utilizing applications.