Photolytic Release of Carboxylic Acids Using Linked Donor−Acceptor Molecules: Direct versus Mediated Photoinduced Electron Transfer to N-Alkyl-4-picolinium Esters

A BODIPY-picolinium-cation conjugate as a blue-light-responsive caged group

Caged compounds protected with photolabile protecting groups (PPGs) are useful for controlling various biological events with high spatiotemporal resolution. Most of the commonly used PPGs are controlled by ultraviolet light irradiation, but it is desirable to have PPGs controlled by visible light irradiation in order to minimize tissue damage. Here, we describe a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-picolinium conjugate (BPc group) that functions as a blue-light-controllable PPG. ESR experiments indicate that the photolysis mechanism is based on intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. We illustrate the applicability of the BPc group to biologically active compounds by employing it firstly to photocontrol release of histamine, and secondly to photocontrol release of a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activator, GSK2181236A, which induces photovasodilation. The BPc group is expected to be a useful PPG for controlling various biological events with blue light irradiation.

A Self-immolative Molecular Beacon for Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection*

Fluorogenic hybridization probes allow the detection of RNA and DNA sequences in homogeneous solution. Typically, one target molecule activates the fluorescence of a single probe molecule. This limits the sensitivity of nucleic acid detection. Herein, we report a self‐immolative molecular beacon (iMB) that escapes the one‐target/one‐probe paradigm. The iMB probe includes a photoreductively cleavable N‐alkyl‐picolinium (NAP) linkage within the loop region. A fluorophore at the 5’‐end serves, on the one hand, as a reporter group and, on the other hand, as a photosensitizer of a NAP‐linker cleavage reaction. In the absence of target, the iMB adopts a hairpin shape. Quencher groups prevent photo‐induced cleavage. The iMB opens upon hybridization with a target, and both fluorescent emission as well as photo‐reductive cleavage of the NAP linker can occur. In contrast to previous chemical amplification reactions, iMBs are unimolecular probes that undergo cleavage leading to products that have lower target affinity than the probes before reaction. Aided by catalysis, the method allowed the detection of 5 pm RNA target within 100 min.

Visible-to-NIR-Light Activated Release: From Small Molecules to Nanomaterials

Photoactivatable (alternatively, photoremovable, photoreleasable, or photocleavable) protecting groups (PPGs), also known as caged or photocaged compounds, are used to enable non-invasive spatiotemporal photochemical control over the release of species of interest. Recent years have seen the development of PPGs activatable by biologically and chemically benign visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. These long-wavelength-absorbing moieties expand the applicability of this powerful method and its accessibility to non-specialist users. This review comprehensively covers organic and transition metal-containing photoactivatable compounds (complexes) that absorb in the visible- and NIR-range to release various leaving groups and gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfide). The text also covers visible- and NIR-light-induced photosensitized release using molecular sensitizers, quantum dots, and upconversion and second-harmonic nanoparticles, as well as release via photodynamic (photooxygenation by singlet oxygen) and photothermal effects. Release from photoactivatable polymers, micelles, vesicles, and photoswitches, along with the related emerging field of photopharmacology, is discussed at the end of the review.

Photorelease of Pyridines Using a Metal-Free Photoremovable Protecting Group

The photorelease of bioactive molecules has emerged as a valuable tool in biochemistry. Nevertheless, many important bioactive molecules, such as pyridine derivatives, cannot benefit from currently available organic photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs). We found that the inefficient photorelease of pyridines is attributed to intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from PPGs to pyridinium ions. To alleviate PET, we rationally designed a strategy to drive the excited state of PPG from S₁ to T₁ with a heavy atom, and synthesized a new PPG by substitution of the H atom at the 3-position of 7-dietheylamino-coumarin-4-methyl (DEACM) with Br or I. This resulted in an improved photolytic efficiency of the pyridinium ion by hundreds-fold in aqueous solution. The PPG can be applied to various pyridine derivatives. The successful photorelease of a microtubule inhibitor, indibulin, in living cells was demonstrated for the potential application of this strategy in biochemical research.

Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET)-Mediated Fragmentation of Picolinium-Derived Redox Probes

The photolysis of covalently linked N-alkyl picolinium phenylacetate-carbazole dyads was analyzed experimentally and by using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent-DFT (TD-DFT) calculations. In contrast to earlier observations efficient one and two-photon fragmentations conditions were found for 15 c (δ_u =0.16 GM at 730 nm) opening the way for the design of a novel class of "caged" compounds.

Photoreductive Removal of O-Benzyl Groups from Oxyarene N-Heterocycles Assisted by O-Pyridine-pyridone Tautomerism

Facile photoreductive protocols have been developed to remove benzyl O-protective groups from oxyarene N-heterocycles at positions capable for 2-/4-O-pyridine-2-/4-pyridone tautomerism. Blue light irradiation, a [Ru] or [Ir] photocatalyst, and ascorbic acid in a water-acetonitrile solution debenzylates a variety of aryl N-heterocycles cleanly and selectively. Ascorbic acid has two functions in the reaction. On the one hand, it protonates the N-heterocycles that reduces their reduction potentials notably and on the other hand it acts as a sacrificial reductant. Reduction potentials and free energy barriers calculated at the CPCM-B3LYP/6-31+G** level can predict the reactivities of the studied substrates.

Near-infrared uncaging or photosensitizing dictated by oxygen tension

Existing strategies that use tissue-penetrant near-infrared light for the targeted treatment of cancer typically rely on the local generation of reactive oxygen species. This approach can be impeded by hypoxia, which frequently occurs in tumour microenvironments. Here we demonstrate that axially unsymmetrical silicon phthalocyanines uncage small molecules preferentially in a low-oxygen environment, while efficiently generating reactive oxygen species in normoxic conditions. Mechanistic studies of the uncaging reaction implicate a photoredox pathway involving photoinduced electron transfer to generate a key radical anion intermediate. Cellular studies demonstrate that the biological mechanism of action is O₂-dependent, with reactive oxygen species-mediated phototoxicity in normoxic conditions and small molecule uncaging in hypoxia. These studies provide a near-infrared light-targeted treatment strategy with the potential to address the complex tumour landscape through two distinct mechanisms that vary in response to the local O₂ environment.

Model dyads for 2PA uncaging of a protecting group via photoinduced electron transfer

Three dyads with a fluorene derivative as an electron-donor and with electron-acceptors of variable redox potentials were synthesized as models for two-photon activated uncaging via electron transfer. A spectroscopic and photophysical study of the component units and the dyads in solvents of different polarities demonstrated an efficient electron transfer (efficiencies > 80%) followed by charge recombination in the arrays (30 ps < τ < 1.6 ns). Recombination takes place to the ground state in all cases except for the dyad displaying the highest driving force for charge recombination in the apolar solvent. The effects of changing the solvent polarity, as well as the driving force, for electron-transfer are discussed in the frame of the current theories of electron transfer.

Visible Light Photorelease of Carboxylic Acids via Charge-Transfer Excitation of N-Methylpyridinium Iodide Esters

Iodide contrast sensitization to direct irradiation of charge transfer salts incurs carboxylic acid release via visible light absorption. The photochemical reduction of N-methyl-4-pyridinium iodide esters to release carboxylic acids is examined using (1)H NMR analysis. Photolysis reactions are carried out under mild, biphasic solvent conditions using a household LED lamp. Carboxylic acid release is reported in high yields, and the viability of this method for synthetic chemistry is demonstrated through a macroscale reaction.

Two-photon sensitive protecting groups operating via intramolecular electron transfer: uncaging of GABA and tryptophan

Improved photo-labile protecting groups, with high sensitivity to two-photon excitation, are needed for the controlled release of drugs, as tools in neuroscience and physiology. Here we present a new modular approach to the design of caging groups based on photoinduced electron transfer from an electron-rich two-photon dye to an electron acceptor, followed by scission of an ester to release a carboxylic acid. Three different electron acceptors were tested: nitrobenzyl, phenacyl and pyridinium. The nitrobenzyl system was ineffective, giving only photochemical decomposition and no release of the carboxylic acid. The phenacyl system also performed poorly, liberating the carboxylic acid in 20% chemical yield and 0.2% photochemical yield. The pyridinium system was most successful, and was tested for the release of two carboxylic acids: γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and tryptophan. The caged GABA undergoes photochemical cleavage with a chemical yield of >95% and a photochemical yield of 1%; it exhibits a two-photon absorption cross section of 1100 GM at 700 nm, corresponding to a two-photon uncaging cross section of 10 ± 3 GM.

A new photolabile protecting group for release of carboxylic acids by visible-light-induced direct and mediated electron transfer

A new aqueous-compatible photoinduced electron transfer based photolabile protecting group has been developed for the release of carboxylic acids. The reduction potential of this group is more positive than previous systems, thereby allowing the use of sensitizers with modest oxidation potentials. Release of several carboxylic acids has been demonstrated using tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) as both a direct sensitizer and a mediator for electron transfer between a good donor and the protecting group.

Photorelease of carboxylic and amino acids from N-methyl-4-picolinium esters by mediated electron transfer

One electron reduction of N-alkyl-4-picolinium (NAP) esters initiates C-O bond scission releasing a carboxylate anion. Previous experiments have demonstrated that this process can be initiated by photoinduced electron transfer from an electron-donating sensitizer. In the present study it is demonstrated that a comparable photorelease process can be initiated by photolysis of an electron acceptor (mediator), which in turn abstracts an electron from a ground state electron donor. The resulting mediator anion radicals donate an electron to the NAP ester, triggering release of the carboxylate anion. It is demonstrated that when benzophenone is used as a mediator, higher quantum yields for ester decomposition can be achieved compared with sensitizers that do direct photoinduced electron transfer.