Photophysical and photochemical processes in 3D self-assembled gels as confined microenvironments

Photobehavior of the antipsychotic drug cyamemazine in a supramolecular gel protective environment

In this work, a molecular hydrogel made of gelator (S)-4-((3-methyl-1-(nonylamino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)amino)-4-oxobutanoic acid (SVN) has been employed as soft container to modify the photochemical and photophysical behavior of the antipsychotic drug cyamemazine (CMZ). The interaction of CMZ with the gel network has been evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy through a hypsochromic shift of the emission band (from λ_max = 521 nm in solution to λ_max = 511 nm in the gel) and an increase of the fluorescence lifetime (5.6 ns in PBS vs. 7.2 ns in the gel). In the laser flash photolysis experiments on CMZ/SVN systems, the CMZ triplet excited state (³CMZ*), monitored at λ = 320 nm, has been more efficiently generated and became much longer-lived than in solution (2.7 μs vs. 0.7 μs); besides, photochemical ionization leading to the radical cation CMZ^+• was disfavored. In the steady-state experiments, photooxidation of CMZ to afford the N,S-dioxide derivative CMZ-SONO has been retarded in the gel, which provides a more lipophilic and constrained microenvironment. Both the photophysical properties and the photoreactivity are in agreement with CMZ located in a less polar domain when entrapped in the supramolecular gel, as result of the interaction of the drug with the fibers of the supramolecular SVN gel.

The Prospect of Photochemical Reactions in Confined Gel Media

Nature is intrinsically able to control kinetics, conversion, and selectivity of biochemical processes by means of confined reaction environments such as enzyme pockets, bilayer membranes, micelles, vesicles, cells, or bioorganic frameworks. The main reason for this fact is the optimal molecular alignment and restricted motion of reactant molecules compared to those found in bulk solution. Under this inspiration, a number of synthetic photo-nanoreactors based on supramolecular self-assembled systems have been developed during the last decades, including mesoporous inorganic materials, microemulsions, micelles, vesicles, lipid bilayer foams, polyelectrolyte nanoparticles, etc. In a broader sense, nanoreactor technology constitutes nowadays a promising tool to enhance organic synthesis under sustainable reaction conditions. In general, nanoreactors change the essential properties of the molecules within them, thus affecting their chemical reactivity. Among the nanoreactor-like systems described in the literature to facilitate photochemical processes, the more recent use of viscoelastic supramolecular gels, typically made of low-molecular-weight (LMW) compounds self-assembled through noncovalent interactions, as compartmentalized reaction media is particularly appealing due to the versatility of these materials in terms of fabrication, properties, and processability. Furthermore, the high specific surface areas found in supramolecular gels, their stimuli-responsive reversibility, good diffusion properties enhancing the interactions between reactants and the three-dimensional (3D) porous network, functional tunability, and blocking effect of external oxygen are some of the most important features that can benefit photoinduced processes carried out in confined gel media. Not surprisingly, the efficiency of photochemical processes inside gel media is largely dependent on the type of reaction, characteristics of the gel network, solvent nature, reactant properties, and reaction conditions. Thus, the main focus of this Account is to provide a concise overview of the most relevant examples reported by us and others in order to illustrate the main advantages associated with the emerging use of gel-based materials as nonconventional reaction media to facilitate and control photochemical reactions. In particular, photodimerization, triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) coupled to single electron transfer (SET), photooxidation, photoreduction, and trifluoromethylation reactions will be illustrated during the discussion. These examples suggest that gel-based media can provide a versatile platform for the discovery of new reaction pathways and facilitate the way that photochemical reactions are traditionally carried out in academia and industry in terms of reaction conditions and required infrastructure. In addition, the use of physical or chemical gels as reaction systems may also accelerate high-throughput screening of photocatalysts. Overall, a judicious choice of gelators, reactants, solvent, and reaction conditions for the assembly of these gelators is crucial for controlling conversion, kinetics, and selectivity of intragel photoinduced processes.

Supramolecular Gel as the Template for Catalysis, Inorganic Superstructure, and Pharmaceutical Crystallization

A supramolecular gel is a fascinating combination of flexibility and orderliness. While the supramolecular nature of crosslinking contributes towards the adaptivity and the reversibility of the system, orderliness at the molecular level amplifies the functional output and induces extraordinary selectivity into the system. Therefore, use of supramolecular gels as the soft template is an emerging area of research, which includes but not limited to catalysis of a chemical or a photochemical process, transcription of gel property to a substrate, or even controlling the nucleation of drug molecules. This review aims to highlight the template effect of supramolecular gels in the above-mentioned areas relevant to novel fundamental chemistry, technology, and healthcare.

Metal- and Oxidant-Free Photoinduced Aromatic Trifluoromethylation Performed in Aerated Gel Media: Determining the Effects on Yield and Selectivity

In this work we have investigated the potential benefits of using supramolecular gel networks as reaction media to carry out air-sensitive metal-free light-induced trifluoromethylation of six-membered (hetero)arenes under aerobic conditions. This reaction was performed at room temperature (RT) using sodium triflinate (CF₃SO₂Na, Langlois' reagent) as a source of radicals and diacetyl as electron donor. The effects of confinement in gel media, concentration of reactants, and type of light source on yield and product distribution were evaluated and compared to the results obtained in homogeneous solution. Four different low molecular weight (LMW) gelators were employed in this study. The results confirmed the blocking effect of the gel medium against reaction quenching by external oxygen, as well as a certain control on the kinetics and selectivity.

Macromolecular crowding for materials-directed controlled self-assembly

Macromolecular crowding refers to intracellular environments where various macromolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, are present at high total concentrations. Its influence on biological processes has been investigated using a highly concentrated in vitro solution of water-soluble polymers as a model. Studies have revealed significant effects of macromolecular crowding on the thermodynamic equilibria and dynamics of biomolecular self-assembly in vivo. Recently, macromolecular crowding has attracted materials scientists, especially those in bio-related areas, as a tool to control molecular/colloidal self-assembly. Macromolecular crowding has been exploited to control the structure of supramolecular materials, assemble nanomaterials, and improve the performance of polymeric materials. Furthermore, nanostructured materials have been shown to be an interesting alternative to water-soluble polymers for creating crowded environments for controlled self-assembly. In this review article, we summarize recent progress in research on macromolecular crowding for controlled self-assembly in bio-related materials chemistry.

Ultraviolet Patterned Calixarene-Derived Supramolecular Gels and Films with Spatially Resolved Mechanical and Fluorescent Properties

Supramolecular assemblies have in the past been considered mechanically weak and in most cases unable to withstand their own weight. Calixarene-derived networks can, however, provide robust supramolecular gels. Incorporating a photoreactive stilbene moiety, we show that the aggregation state of the material can be tuned by heating and UV exposure in order to control the mechanical as well as the fluorescent properties. Regulating the extent of heating to control the proportion of H-aggregates and J-aggregates and further cross-linking of H-aggregates by control over UV exposure allows for adjustable photopatterning of the fluorescence as well as the material stiffness in the range from ∼100 to 450 kPa. We expect this straightforward supramolecular system will be suitable for advanced prototyping in applications where modulus and shape are important design criteria.

Dual-responsive ALS-type organogelators based on azobenzene–cholesteryl conjugates and their self-assemblies

Azobenzene and cholesteryl based derivatives (N2 and N4) were designed as gelators and their aggregation mechanism is proposed. These gelators are thermally reversible, however optically irreversible.

Retracted Article: Spatially resolved mechanical properties of photo-responsive azobenzene-based supramolecular gels

The mechanical properties of azobenzene-based gelators were finely controlled by UV irradiation.

Light and force dual-responsive waterborne polyurethane in multiple states

Novel SP-WPU presents UV light and force dual-responsive properties in both dispersed state and solid state. The environmental friendly material provides an alternative to extend the application for smart coatings and textiles in industry.

Peptide based hydrogels for cancer drug release: modulation of stiffness, drug release and proteolytic stability of hydrogels by incorporating d-amino acid residue(s)

Synthetic tripeptide based noncytotoxic hydrogelators have been discovered for releasing an anticancer drug at physiological pH and temparature. Interestingly, gel stiffness, drug release capacity and proteolytic stability of these hydrogels have been successfully modulated by incorporating d-amino acid residues, indicating their potential use for drug delivery in the future.

Supramolecular Assembly of pH-Sensitive Triphenylene Derived π-Gelators and Their Application as Molecular Template for the Preparation of Silica Nanotubes

The gelation properties and mode of self-assembly of six asymmetrical hexaether triphenylene derivatives mono-functionalized with carboxylic and primary amine groups were investigated. The presence of a carboxylic and amine group attached to the triphenylene core generated stable, thermo- and pH-sensitive supramolecular π-organogels with a reversible response to both stimuli. In order to understand the gelation process, we studied the effect of the spacer length and found a different gelation scope for the acid and basic derivatives that accounts for a different supramolecular self-assembly. The presence of the basic group on the amino derivatives was used to guide and catalyze the templated in situ sol-gel polymerization of TEOS and allowed us, under controlled hydrolytic conditions, to prepare an entangled fibrillar network of silica nanotubes.

Intragel photoreduction of aryl halides by green-to-blue upconversion under aerobic conditions

The first proof of concept for the application of intragel green-to-blue photon upconversion to a chemical reaction is reported. The developed method allows the photoreduction of aryl halides at room temperature under aerobic conditions.