Affiliation:
1. Institute of Organic Chemistry Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT Fritz-Haber-Weg 6 76131 Karlsruhe Germany
2. Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen Germany
Abstract
AbstractPhotochromic supramolecular hydrogels are versatile materials that show macroscopic effects upon irradiation, like liquefaction or shape changes. Here, we demonstrate a simple photochromic cyclic dipeptide (2,5‐diketopiperazine‐based) supergelator, composed of (S)‐lysine and an azobenzene analogue of phenylalanine, that forms supramolecular hydrogels even at 0.1 wt% loading. The gels can physically encapsulate cargo molecules and release them to the environment in a controllable manner upon irradiation with red light, thus working as a “molecular syringe”. As the material is biocompatible and operational in the “therapeutic window” of light (>650 nm) that deeply penetrates soft human tissues, it is applicable to smart drug‐delivery systems.
Funder
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg
Subject
General Chemistry,Catalysis,Organic Chemistry