Visible Light Triggerable CO Releasing Micelles.
Mckenna G Hanson1, Ram Ambre1, Riya Joshi1
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado 80210, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|December 12, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a novel platform for visible light-triggered carbon monoxide (CO) release using cyclopropenone chemistry. This new CO releasing molecule (CORM) system offers improved efficiency, lower toxicity, and tunable release rates for physiological studies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Chemical Biology
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a crucial gasotransmitter regulating physiological functions.
- Existing CO releasing molecules (CORMs) often lack precise control over CO release.
- Phototriggered CORMs offer contactless spatial and temporal control but face limitations in efficiency and reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly efficient platform for visible light-triggered carbon monoxide (CO) gas release.
- To create a water-soluble, deliverable CO releasing molecule (CORM) system with tunable release kinetics.
- To address the limitations of current phototriggered CORMs for enhanced physiological research.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cyclopropenone as a unique CO-containing functionality for facile decarbonylation.
- Employed visible light (470 nm) mediated photoredox catalysis for CO release.
- Polymerized components into block copolymers to form self-assembling, CO-releasing micelles (CORMIs) for improved delivery and solubility.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a rapid, quantitative, and tunable photoreaction for CO release driven by strain-release energy.
- Achieved significantly improved CO production efficiency compared to state-of-the-art CORMs.
- Exhibited lower toxicity and consistent efficacy in ex vivo and in vitro settings.
Conclusions:
- The developed cyclopropenone-based platform provides a superior method for visible light-triggered CO release.
- This novel photo-CORM system offers enhanced control, efficiency, and safety for gasotransmitter research.
- The self-assembling micelle formulation ensures effective delivery and application in biological systems.
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