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Tang S, Wang W, Wang Y, Gao Y, Dai K, Zhang W, Wu X, Yuan X, Jin C, Zan X, Zhu L, Geng W. Sustained release of 5-aminosalicylic acid from azoreductase-responsive polymeric prodrugs for prolonged colon-targeted colitis therapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:468. [PMID: 39103846 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02724-w] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a challenging inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder, whose therapies encounter limitations in overcoming insufficient colonic retention and rapid systemic clearance. In this study, we report an innovative polymeric prodrug nanoformulation for targeted UC treatment through sustained 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) delivery. Amphiphilic polymer-based 13.5 nm micelles were engineered to incorporate azo-linked 5-ASA prodrug motifs, enabling cleavage via colonic azoreductases. In vitro, micelles exhibited excellent stability under gastric/intestinal conditions while demonstrating controlled 5-ASA release over 24 h in colonic fluids. Orally administered micelles revealed prolonged 24-h retention and a high accumulation within inflamed murine colonic tissue. At an approximately 60% dose reduction from those most advanced recent studies, the platform halted DSS colitis progression and outperformed standard 5-ASA therapy through a 77-97% suppression of inflammatory markers. Histological analysis confirmed intact colon morphology and restored barrier protein expression. This integrated prodrug nanoformulation addresses limitations in colon-targeted UC therapy through localized bioactivation and tailored pharmacokinetics, suggesting the potential of nanotechnology-guided precision delivery to transform disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Tang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijian Wang
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuhan Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keke Dai
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xudong Wu
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodie Yuan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaofan Jin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingjie Zan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China
| | - Limeng Zhu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wujun Geng
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325001, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Yang R, Tang S, Xie X, Jin C, Tong Y, Huang W, Zan X. Enhanced Ocular Delivery of Beva via Ultra-Small Polymeric Micelles for Noninvasive Anti-VEGF Therapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2314126. [PMID: 38819852 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202314126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Pathological ocular neovascularization resulting from retinal ischemia constitutes a major cause of vision loss. Current anti-VEGF therapies rely on burdensome intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab (Beva). Herein ultrasmall polymeric micelles encapsulating Beva (P@Beva) are developed for noninvasive topical delivery to posterior eye tissues. Beva is efficiently loaded into 11 nm micelles fabricated via self-assembly of hyperbranched amphiphilic copolymers. The neutral, brush-like micelles demonstrate excellent drug encapsulation and colloidal stability. In vitro, P@Beva enhances intracellular delivery of Beva in ocular cells versus free drug. Ex vivo corneal and conjunctival-sclera-choroidal tissues transport after eye drops are improved 23-fold and 7.9-fold, respectively. Anti-angiogenic bioactivity is retained with P@Beva eliciting greater inhibition of endothelial tube formation and choroid sprouting over Beva alone. Remarkably, in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model, topical P@Beva matching efficacy of intravitreal Beva injection, is the clinical standard. Comprehensive biocompatibility verifies safety. Overall, this pioneering protein delivery platform holds promise to shift paradigms from invasive intravitreal injections toward simplified, noninvasive administration of biotherapeutics targeting posterior eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhui Yang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325001, China
| | - Sicheng Tang
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325001, China
| | - Xiaoling Xie
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325001, China
| | - Chaofan Jin
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325001, China
| | - Yuhua Tong
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, 324000, China
| | - Wenjuan Huang
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, 317000, China
| | - Xingjie Zan
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325001, China
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3
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Tang S, Gao Y, Wang W, Wang Y, Liu P, Shou Z, Yang R, Jin C, Zan X, Wang C, Geng W. Self-Report Amphiphilic Polymer-Based Drug Delivery System with ROS-Triggered Drug Release for Osteoarthritis Therapy. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:58-64. [PMID: 38153092 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of drug delivery systems with real-time cargo release monitoring capabilities is imperative for optimizing nanomedicine performance. Herein, we report an innovative self-reporting drug delivery platform based on a ROS-responsive random copolymer (P1) capable of visualizing cargo release kinetics via the activation of an integrated fluorophore. P1 was synthesized by copolymerization of pinacol boronate, PEG, and naphthalimide monomers to impart ROS-sensitivity, hydrophilicity, and fluorescence signaling, respectively. Detailed characterization verified that P1 self-assembles into 11 nm micelles with 10 μg mL-1 CMC and can encapsulate hydrophobic curcumin with 79% efficiency. Fluorescence assays demonstrated H2O2-triggered disassembly and curcumin release with concurrent polymer fluorescence turn-on. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validated the real-time visualization of drug release and ROS scavenging, as well as the therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis (OA). Overall, this nanotheranostic polymeric micelle system enables quantitative monitoring of drug release kinetics for enhanced treatment optimization across oxidative stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Tang
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
| | - Yuhan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yijian Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Anesthesia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Zeyu Shou
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China
| | - Ruhui Yang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
| | - Chaofan Jin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
| | - Xingjie Zan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
| | - Chenglong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan City, 250021, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wujun Geng
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, Wenzhou 325001, China
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4
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Tang S, Yang R, Gao Y, Zhu L, Zheng S, Zan X. Hydrazone-Based Amphiphilic Brush Polymer for Fast Endocytosis and ROS-Active Drug Release. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:639-645. [PMID: 37129207 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high reactivity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is essential to sweep them away in time. In this study, ClO--responsible amphiphilic brush polymers were prepared by free radical polymerization using two monomers consisting of polyethylene glycol as the hydrophilic part, and an alkyl chain connected by hydrazone as the hydrophobic part. The macromolecules assemble into particles with nanoscaled dimensions in a neutral buffer, which ensures quick cellular internalization. The polymer has a low critical micellization concentration and can encapsulate hydrophobic drug molecules up to 19% wt. The micelles formed by the polymer disassemble in a ClO--rich environment and release 80% of their cargo within 2 h, which possesses a faster release rate compared to the previous systems. The relatively small size and the quick response of hydrazone toward ClO- ensure a quick uptake and elimination of ROS in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Tang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
| | - Ruhui Yang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
| | - Yuhan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
| | - Limeng Zhu
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
| | - Shengwu Zheng
- Wenzhou Celecare Medical Instruments Co., Ltd., Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Xingjie Zan
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325035, China
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perioperative Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou Institute, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325001, China
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5
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Fortino M, Cozza C, Bonomi M, Pietropaolo A. Multi-replica biased sampling for photoswitchable π-conjugated polymers. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:174108. [PMID: 34241080 DOI: 10.1063/5.0045944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, π-conjugated polymers are attracting considerable interest in view of their light-dependent torsional reorganization around the π-conjugated backbone, which determines peculiar light-emitting properties. Motivated by the interest in designing conjugated polymers with tunable photoswitchable pathways, we devised a computational framework to enhance the sampling of the torsional conformational space and, at the same time, estimate ground- to excited-state free-energy differences. This scheme is based on a combination of Hamiltonian Replica Exchange Method (REM), parallel bias metadynamics, and free-energy perturbation theory. In our scheme, each REM samples an intermediate unphysical state between the ground and the first two excited states, which are characterized by time-dependent density functional theory simulations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. We applied the method to a 5-mer of 9,9-dioctylfluorene and found that upon irradiation, this system can undergo a dihedral inversion from -155° to 155°, crossing a barrier that decreases from 0.1 eV in the ground state (S0) to 0.05 eV and 0.04 eV in the first (S1) and second (S2) excited states. Furthermore, S1 and even more S2 were predicted to stabilize coplanar dihedrals, with a local free-energy minimum located at ±44°. The presence of a free-energy barrier of 0.08 eV for the S1 state and 0.12 eV for the S2 state can trap this conformation in a basin far from the global free-energy minimum located at 155°. The simulation results were compared with the experimental emission spectrum, showing a quantitative agreement with the predictions provided by our framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagrazia Fortino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Concetta Cozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonomi
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry; CNRS UMR 3528; C3BI, CNRS USR 3756; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Jiménez ER, Caetano M, Santiago N, Torres FJ, Terencio T, Rodríguez H. A Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Potential Luminescent and Biological Activities of Diaminodicyanoquinodimethane Derivatives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22010446. [PMID: 33466251 PMCID: PMC7795593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, several studies have demonstrated that diaminodicyanoquinone derivatives (DADQs) could present interesting fluorescence properties. Furthermore, some DADQs under the solid state are capable of showing quantum yields that can reach values of 90%. Besides, the diaminodiacyanoquinone core represents a versatile building block propense either to modification or integration into different systems to obtain and provide them unique photophysical features. Herein, we carried out a theoretical study on the fluorescence properties of three different diaminodicyanoquinodimethane systems. Therefore, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was used to obtain the values associated with the dipole moments, oscillator strengths, and the conformational energies between the ground and the first excited states of each molecule. The results suggest that only two of the three studied systems possess significant luminescent properties. In a further stage, the theoretical insights were confirmed by means of experimental measurements, which not only retrieved the photoluminescence of the DADQs, but also suggest a preliminary and promising antibacterial activity of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edison Rafael Jiménez
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (E.R.J.); (M.C.)
| | - Manuel Caetano
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (E.R.J.); (M.C.)
| | - Nelson Santiago
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador;
| | - F. Javier Torres
- Grupo de Química Computacional y Teórica (QCT-USFQ), Instituto de Simulación Computacional (ISC-USFQ), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito 17-1200-841, Ecuador;
| | - Thibault Terencio
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (E.R.J.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (H.R.); Tel.: +59-3-6299-9500 (ext. 2622) (H.R.)
| | - Hortensia Rodríguez
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (E.R.J.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (H.R.); Tel.: +59-3-6299-9500 (ext. 2622) (H.R.)
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7
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Pietropaolo A, Nakano T. Learning how planarization can affect dichroic patterns in polyfluorenes. Chirality 2020; 32:661-666. [PMID: 32160652 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The circular dichroism spectra of a single chain of polyfluorene was predicted for a p-twisted helix conformation and local planarized polymer sections in the presence and in the absence of thermal vibrations. Under thermal vibrations at 300 K, the planarized section of polyfluorene affords a red-shifted positive dichroic band between 446 and 456 nm, preserving a degree of chirality. The S1 ← S0 excitation energy decreases from 3.29 eV, for the p-twisted helix to 2.77 or 2.71 eV, for planarized sections with one or two coplanar twists, respectively. Thermal vibrations and intramolecular rotations eventually affect the circular dichroism spectrum patterns, where planarized bent conformers induce a positive band towards 450 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Tamaki Nakano
- Institute for Catalysis (ICAT), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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8
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Patrizi B, Cozza C, Pietropaolo A, Foggi P, Siciliani de Cumis M. Synergistic Approach of Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Molecular Simulations in the Characterization of Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Push-Pull Molecules. Molecules 2020; 25:E430. [PMID: 31968694 PMCID: PMC7024558 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25020430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The comprehensive characterization of Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT) stemming in push-pull molecules with a delocalized π-system of electrons is noteworthy for a bespoke design of organic materials, spanning widespread applications from photovoltaics to nanomedicine imaging devices. Photo-induced ICT is characterized by structural reorganizations, which allows the molecule to adapt to the new electronic density distribution. Herein, we discuss recent photophysical advances combined with recent progresses in the computational chemistry of photoactive molecular ensembles. We focus the discussion on femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy (TAS) enabling us to follow the transition from a Locally Excited (LE) state to the ICT and to understand how the environment polarity influences radiative and non-radiative decay mechanisms. In many cases, the charge transfer transition is accompanied by structural rearrangements, such as the twisting or molecule planarization. The possibility of an accurate prediction of the charge-transfer occurring in complex molecules and molecular materials represents an enormous advantage in guiding new molecular and materials design. We briefly report on recent advances in ultrafast multidimensional spectroscopy, in particular, Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy (2DES), in unraveling the ICT nature of push-pull molecular systems. A theoretical description at the atomistic level of photo-induced molecular transitions can predict with reasonable accuracy the properties of photoactive molecules. In this framework, the review includes a discussion on the advances from simulation and modeling, which have provided, over the years, significant information on photoexcitation, emission, charge-transport, and decay pathways. Density Functional Theory (DFT) coupled with the Time-Dependent (TD) framework can describe electronic properties and dynamics for a limited system size. More recently, Machine Learning (ML) or deep learning approaches, as well as free-energy simulations containing excited state potentials, can speed up the calculations with transferable accuracy to more complex molecules with extended system size. A perspective on combining ultrafast spectroscopy with molecular simulations is foreseen for optimizing the design of photoactive compounds with tunable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Patrizi
- National Institute of Optics-National Research Council (INO-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (B.P.); (P.F.)
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS),Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Concetta Cozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Paolo Foggi
- National Institute of Optics-National Research Council (INO-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (B.P.); (P.F.)
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS),Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Cozza C, Bonomi M, Pietropaolo A. A Versatile Computational Strategy To Characterize the Free-Energy Landscape of Excited States in Oligofluorenes. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:5441-5445. [PMID: 30365313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The π-rich rings of conjugated polymers and molecular rotors shape their typical properties, allowing a variety of chemical and photoresponsive phenomena. Herein, we present a computational method in the framework of classical simulations to estimate the free-energy gap between ground and excited states of oligofluorenes, which is a class of molecular rotors widely used in optoelectronic devices, because of the inner torsional rotation triggered by light irradiation. We devised multiple sets of free-energy simulations in combination with free-energy perturbation theory to predict the free-energy gap between the ground state and the first excited state. The computed excitation energies show good agreement with experiments. The approach presented herein allows one to achieve comprehensive sampling of the conformational landscape and accurate estimates of the excited state free-energy landscapes at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Cozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute , Università di Catanzaro , Viale Europa , 88100 Catanzaro , Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonomi
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute , Università di Catanzaro , Viale Europa , 88100 Catanzaro , Italy
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