Catti Lorenzo, Kishida Natsuki, Kai Tomokuni, Akita Munetaka, Yoshizawa Michito
Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan.
Nat Commun. 2019 Apr 24;10(1):1948. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09928-x.
Molecular containers that provide both stimuli-responsive assembly/disassembly properties and wide-ranging host capabilities in aqueous medium still remain a current synthetic challenge. Herein we report polyaromatic nanocapsules assembled from V-shaped amphiphilic molecules bearing a photoresponsive ortho-dianthrylbenzene unit in water. Unlike previously reported supramolecular capsules and cages, the nanocapsules quickly and quantitatively disassemble into monomeric species by a non-invasive light stimulus through structural conversion from the open to the closed form of the amphiphiles. Regeneration of the nanocapsules is demonstrated by light irradiation or heating of the closed amphiphiles. With the aid of the wide-ranging host capability, the photo-induced release of various encapsulated guest molecules (e.g., Nile red, Cu(II)-phthalocyanine, and fullerene C) can be achieved by using the present nanocapsule in water. This feature can furthermore be utilized to switch the fluorescence of encapsulated coumarin guests through their controlled release.
在水性介质中兼具刺激响应性组装/拆卸特性和广泛主体能力的分子容器，仍然是当前合成领域的一项挑战。在此，我们报道了由在水中带有光响应性邻二蒽基苯单元的V形两亲分子组装而成的多芳族纳米胶囊。与先前报道的超分子胶囊和笼不同，这些纳米胶囊通过两亲分子从开放形式到封闭形式的结构转变，经非侵入性光刺激快速且定量地分解为单体物种。通过对封闭的两亲分子进行光照或加热，证明了纳米胶囊的再生。借助广泛的主体能力，使用当前的纳米胶囊在水中可实现各种封装客体分子（如尼罗红、铜（II）-酞菁和富勒烯C）的光诱导释放。此特性还可用于通过控制封装的香豆素客体的释放来切换其荧光。
