Cyanine-flavonol hybrids as NIR-light activatable carbon monoxide donors in methanol and aqueous solutions

Here we report on carbon monoxide-photoreleasable compounds (photoCORMs) that combine heptamethine cyanine and flavonol chromophores and are activated upon irradiation with near-infrared light. Excellent CO-release yields and uncaging cross sections in aqueous solutions, enhanced water solubilities thanks to polar substituents or a host-guest approach using cucurbit[7]uril are demonstrated. The hybrids display outstanding biocompatibility and diverse, structure-dependent cell penetrability and internalization.

Automated summary

In this study, we introduce carbon monoxide-photoreleasable compounds (photoCORMs) comprised of heptamethine cyanine and flavonol chromophores, which are activated by near-infrared light. These compounds exhibit excellent CO-release yields and uncaging cross sections in aqueous solutions, and their water solubility is enhanced through polar substituents or a host-guest approach using cucurbit[7]uril. Additionally, these hybrids demonstrate outstanding biocompatibility as well as diverse, structure-dependent cell penetrability and internalization.