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Porcu S, Corpino R, Carbonaro CM, Ricci PC, Vargiu AV, Sanna AL, Sforazzini G, Chiriu D. Promising Molecular Architectures for Two-Photon Probes in the Diagnosis of α-Synuclein Aggregates. Molecules 2024; 29:2817. [PMID: 38930882 PMCID: PMC11207056 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The abnormal deposition of protein in the brain is the central factor in neurodegenerative disorders (NDs). These detrimental aggregates, stemming from the misfolding and subsequent irregular aggregation of α-synuclein protein, are primarily accountable for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. Two-photon-excited (TPE) probes are a promising tool for the early-stage diagnosis of these pathologies as they provide accurate spatial resolution, minimal intrusion, and the ability for prolonged observation. To identify compounds with the potential to function as diagnostic probes using two-photon techniques, we explore three distinct categories of compounds: Hydroxyl azobenzene (AZO-OH); Dicyano-vinyl bithiophene (DCVBT); and Tetra-amino phthalocyanine (PcZnNH2). The molecules were structurally and optically characterized using a multi-technique approach via UV-vis absorption, Raman spectroscopy, three-dimensional fluorescence mapping (PLE), time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and pump and probe measurements. Furthermore, quantum chemical and molecular docking calculations were performed to provide insights into the photophysical properties of the compounds as well as to assess their affinity with the α-synuclein protein. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the accuracy of in vivo probing, contributing to early Parkinson's disease (PD) detection and ultimately allowing for targeted intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Porcu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
| | - Riccardo Corpino
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
| | - Carlo Maria Carbonaro
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
| | - Pier Carlo Ricci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
| | - Attilio Vittorio Vargiu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
| | - Anna Laura Sanna
- Department of Chemistry and Hearth Science, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Sforazzini
- Department of Chemistry and Hearth Science, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy;
| | - Daniele Chiriu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SP n°8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy; (S.P.); (R.C.); (C.M.C.); (P.C.R.); (A.V.V.)
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Sanna AL, Pachova T, Catellani A, Calzolari A, Sforazzini G. Meta-Substituted Asymmetric Azobenzenes: Insights into Structure-Property Relationship. Molecules 2024; 29:1929. [PMID: 38731420 PMCID: PMC11085191 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This article presents a comprehensive investigation into the functionalization of methoxyphenylazobenzene using electron-directing groups located at the meta position relative to the azo group. Spectroscopic analysis of meta-functionalized azobenzenes reveals that the incorporation of electron-withdrawing units significantly influences the absorption spectra of both E and Z isomers, while electron-donating functionalities lead to more subtle changes. The thermal relaxation process from Z to E result in almost twice as prolonged for electron-withdrawing functionalized azobenzenes compared to their electron-rich counterparts. Computational analysis contributes a theoretical understanding of the electronic structure and properties of meta-substituted azobenzenes. This combined approach, integrating experimental and computational techniques, yields significant insights into the structure-property relationship of meta-substituted asymmetrical phenolazobenzenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Laura Sanna
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, SS 554, Bivio per Sestu, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Tatiana Pachova
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Materials, Institute of Material Science and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Arrigo Calzolari
- CNR-NANO, Istituto Nanoscienze, Via Giuseppe Campi, 213, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sforazzini
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, SS 554, Bivio per Sestu, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Materials, Institute of Material Science and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Jozeliūnaitė A, Rahmanudin A, Gražulis S, Baudat E, Sivula K, Fazzi D, Orentas E, Sforazzini G. Light-Responsive Oligothiophenes Incorporating Photochromic Torsional Switches. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202202698. [PMID: 36136376 PMCID: PMC9828566 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We present a quaterthiophene and sexithiophene that can reversibly change their effective π-conjugation length through photoexcitation. The reported compounds make use of light-responsive molecular actuators consisting of an azobenzene attached to a bithiophene unit by both direct and linker-assisted bonding. Upon exposure to 350 nm light, the azobenzene undergoes trans-to-cis isomerization, thus mechanically inducing the oligothiophene to assume a planar conformation (extended π-conjugation). Exposure to 254 nm wavelength promotes azobenzene cis-to-trans isomerization, forcing the thiophenic backbones to twist out of planarity (confined π-conjugation). Twisted conformations are also reached by cis-to-trans thermal relaxation at a rate that increases proportionally with the conjugation length of the oligothiophene moiety. The molecular conformations of quaterthiophene and sexithiophene were characterized by using steady-state UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and quantum-chemical modeling. Finally, we tested the proposed light-responsive oligothiophenes in field-effect transistors to probe the photo-induced tuning of their electronic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustina Jozeliūnaitė
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Materials, Institute of Material Science and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko 24, LT-0325, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aiman Rahmanudin
- Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Saulius Gražulis
- Vilnius University, Institute of Biotechnology, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Emilie Baudat
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Sivula
- Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Fazzi
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Università di Bologna, Via F. Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Edvinas Orentas
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko 24, LT-0325, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Giuseppe Sforazzini
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Materials, Institute of Material Science and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Present address: Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University degli Studi di Cagliari, SS 554, bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Costil R, Holzheimer M, Crespi S, Simeth NA, Feringa BL. Directing Coupled Motion with Light: A Key Step Toward Machine-Like Function. Chem Rev 2021; 121:13213-13237. [PMID: 34533944 PMCID: PMC8587610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular photoactuators can control shape and chemical or physical properties of the responsive system they are embedded in. These effects are usually mediated by supramolecular interactions and can be amplified to perform work at the micro- and macroscopic scale, for instance, in materials and biomimetic systems. While many studies focus on the observable outcome of these events, photoresponsive structures can also translate their conformational change to molecular components and perform work against random Brownian motion. Stereochemical cascades can amplify light-generated motion to a distant moiety of the same molecule or molecular assembly, via conformationally restricted stereogenic elements. Being able to control the conformation or motion of molecular systems remotely provides prospects for the design of the smallest machines imaginable. This Focus Review emphasizes the emergence of directed, coupled motion of remote functionalities triggered by light-powered switches and motors as a tool to control molecular topology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefano Crespi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nadja A. Simeth
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ben L. Feringa
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University
of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Delesma C, Amador-Bedolla C, Robles M, Muñiz J. Photoisomerization and its effect in the opto-electronic properties of organic photovoltaic materials: A quantum chemistry study. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Yu J, Qi D, Li J. Design, synthesis and applications of responsive macrocycles. Commun Chem 2020; 3:189. [PMID: 36703444 PMCID: PMC9814784 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-020-00438-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inspired by the lock and key principle, the development of supramolecular macrocyclic chemistry has promoted the prosperous growth of host-guest chemistry. The updated induced-fit and conformation selection model spurred the emerging research on responsive macrocycles (RMs). This review introduces RMs, covering their design, synthesis and applications. It gives readers insight into the dynamic control of macrocyclic molecules and the exploration of materials with desired functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yu
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Dawei Qi
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jianwei Li
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, 20520 Turku, Finland ,grid.428986.90000 0001 0373 6302Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chem, Key laboratory of Advanced Materials of Tropical Island Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228 China
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Lin C, Maisonneuve S, Theulier C, Xie J. Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of Azobenzene-Derived Glycomacrolactones. European J Org Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201801832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqi Lin
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS; Université Paris-Saclay; 94235 Cachan France
| | | | - Cyril Theulier
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS; Université Paris-Saclay; 94235 Cachan France
| | - Juan Xie
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS; Université Paris-Saclay; 94235 Cachan France
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8
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Geng WC, Sun H, Guo DS. Macrocycles containing azo groups: recognition, assembly and application. J INCL PHENOM MACRO 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10847-018-0819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Zhou Y, Zhu L. Involving Synergy of Green Light and Acidic Responses in Control of Unimolecular Multicolor Luminescence. Chemistry 2018; 24:10306-10309. [PMID: 29701275 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Conversion of multicolor luminescence is one of desirable goals in study and development of next-generation molecular emitters, whereas involving visible light into the control of the above-mentioned ability has been poorly addressed due to the need of a relatively complicate molecular design. In this work, we present a novel dyad with a linkage of 4-piperazinyl-1,8-naphthalimide and cyanostyryl-modified azulene moiety, upon which the luminescence signal can be orthogonally controlled by protonation and green light irradiation. The superior features of the protonation induced excited state energy alteration, followed by green light driven photoisomerization led to a progressive luminescent color conversion among blue, yellow and green at the single molecular level. This strategy may bring in novel insights for preparing advanced function-integrated optoelectronic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
| | - Liangliang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
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Vannay L, Meyer B, Petraglia R, Sforazzini G, Ceriotti M, Corminboeuf C. Analyzing Fluxional Molecules Using DORI. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:2370-2379. [PMID: 29570294 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b01176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Density Overlap Region Indicator (DORI) is a density-based scalar field that reveals covalent bonding patterns and noncovalent interactions in the same value range. This work goes beyond the traditional static quantum chemistry use of scalar fields and illustrates the suitability of DORI for analyzing geometrical and electronic signatures in highly fluxional molecular systems. Examples include a dithiocyclophane, which possesses multiple local minima with differing extents of π-stacking interactions and a temperature dependent rotation of a molecular rotor, where the descriptor is employed to capture fingerprints of CH-π and π-π interactions. Finally, DORI serves to examine the fluctuating π-conjugation pathway of a photochromic torsional switch (PTS). Attention is also placed on postprocessing the large amount of generated data and juxtaposing DORI with a data-driven low-dimensional representation of the structural landscape.
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Tylkowski B, Trojanowska A, Marturano V, Nowak M, Marciniak L, Giamberini M, Ambrogi V, Cerruti P. Power of light – Functional complexes based on azobenzene molecules. Coord Chem Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Lin C, Maisonneuve S, Métivier R, Xie J. Photoswitchable Carbohydrate-Based Macrocyclic Azobenzene: Synthesis, Chiroptical Switching, and Multistimuli-Responsive Self-Assembly. Chemistry 2017; 23:14996-15001. [PMID: 28858420 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A one-pot O-alkylation mediated macrocyclization approach has been used for the synthesis of carbohydrate-based macrocyclic azobenzene. The synthesized macrocycle can be reversibly isomerized between E and Z isomers upon UV or visible irradiation with excellent photostability and thermal stability (t1/2 =51 days at 20 °C for the Z isomer). A chirality transfer from the chiral sugar unit to azobenzene was observed by circular dichroism (CD). DFT and TD-DFT calculations were performed to calculate the optimal geometry and the theoretical absorption and CD spectra. Comparison of the experimental CD spectra with the theoretical ones suggests that both E- and Z-macrocycles adopt preferentially P-helicity for the azobenzene moiety. Furthermore, the macrocycle showed gelation ability in cyclohexane and ethanol with multistimuli-responsive behavior upon exposure to environmental stimuli including thermal-, photo-, and mechanical responses. Moreover, these organogels display temperature-dependent helical inversion, which can be tuned by a repeated heating-cooling procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqi Lin
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 94235, Cachan, France
| | | | - Rémi Métivier
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 94235, Cachan, France
| | - Juan Xie
- PPSM, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 94235, Cachan, France
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Li L, Wang H, Wang W, Jin WJ. Interactions between haloperfluorobenzenes and fluoranthene in luminescent cocrystals from π-hole⋯π to σ-hole⋯π bonds. CrystEngComm 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ce00950j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
From π-hole⋯π to σ-hole⋯π bonds between haloperfluorobenzenes and fluoranthene in luminescent cocrystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
- PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Chemistry & Material Science
- Shanxi Normal University
- Linfen
- PR China
| | - Weizhou Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Luoyang Normal University
- Luoyang 471022
- PR China
| | - Wei Jun Jin
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
- PR China
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