Editing Benzotrithiophene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Developing New Sonosensitizers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer a unique platform combining properties of small molecules and inorganic nanoagents.
• Developing effective sonosensitizers is crucial for advancing ultrasound-based cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate novel benzotrithiophene-based imine-linked COFs as potential sonosensitizers.
• To investigate the structure-activity relationship of donor-acceptor (D-A) configurations in COFs for sonodynamic therapy.

Main Methods:

• Density-functional-theory (DFT)-guided structure editing for COF synthesis.
• Evaluation of sonodynamic activity and cancer cell killing efficacy.
• Assessment of ultrasound-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Main Results:

• Two benzotrithiophene-based imine-linked COFs (BTT-DPh-COF and BTT-DPy-COF) were successfully synthesized.
• Tailored D-A structures optimized COF band positions, leading to intrinsic sonodynamic activity.
• BTT-DPy-COF demonstrated superior ROS generation and sonodynamic therapeutic effect due to enhanced D-A interactions.

Conclusions:

• Elaborately edited COFs with D-A configurations hold significant potential as advanced sonosensitizers.
• The study highlights the importance of molecular design in developing effective materials for sonodynamic therapy.
• These findings pave the way for new strategies in ultrasound-triggered cancer treatment.