The kinetics and mechanism of photooxygenation of 4'-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone

Type-I Photosensitizer-Triggered Controllable Carbon Monoxide Release for Effective Treatment of Staph Skin Infection

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is a major infectious skin disease that is highly resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment and host immune defense, leading to recurrence and exacerbation of bacterial infection. Herein, we developed a photoresponsive carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing nanocomposite by integrating anion-π+ type-I photosensitizer (OMeTBP) and organometallic complex (FeCO) for the treatment of planktonic S. aureus and biofilm-associated infections. After optimizing the molar ratio of FeCO and OMeTBP, the prepared nanoparticles, OMeTBP@FeCONPs, not only ensured sufficient loading of CO donors and efficient CO generation but also showed negligible free ROS leakage under light irradiation, which helped to avoid tissue damage caused by excessive ROS. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that OMeTBP@FeCONPs could effectively inhibit S. aureus methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and bacterial biofilm. Our design has the potential to overcome the resistance of conventional antibiotic treatment and provide a more effective option for bacterial infections.

The case for an oxidopyrylium intermediate in the mechanism of quercetin dioxygenases

The quercetin dioxygenases (QDOs) are unusual metalloenzymes in that they display ring-opening dioxygenase activity with several different first-row transition metal ions which do not undergo redox changes during turnover. The QDOs are also unique in that the substrate binds as an η1-flavonolate rather than the η2 -bidentate mode seen in all reported model complexes. The flavonol substrates were early examples of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) phenomena, in which photoexcitation causes an H-atom exchange between the adjacent hydroxyl and ketone, generating an oxidopyrylium emissive state. These oxidopyryliums undergo ring-opening dioxygenations analogous to the enzymatic reactions. Our hypothesis is that lability of the divalent metal ion may allow access to a reactive oxidopyrylium intermediate via coordination switching from the oxy to ketone position, which allows reaction with O2. In this report, we use a straight-forward methylation strategy to generate a panel of flavonol and thioflavonol derivatives modeling several η1- and η2-coordination modes. Methylation of 3-hydroxythioflavone generates an air stable η1 hydroxopyrylium salt, which undergoes rapid ring-opening dioxygenation by deprotonation or photoexcitation. By comparison, the η1-methoxyflavonol does not react with O2 under any condition. We find that any of the studied flavonol derivatives, η1 or η2, which demonstrates ESIPT-like oxidopyrylium emissions undergo QDO-like ring-opening reactions with dioxygen. The implications of these results concerning the mechanism of QDOs and related dioxygenases is discussed.

Mechanistic studies of visible light-induced CO release from a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone

Organic compounds that can be triggered using light to release CO in biological environments are of significant current interest to probe the role of CO in biology and as potential therapeutics. We recently reported that a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone (5) can be used as a CO delivery molecule to produce anticancer and potent anti-inflammatory effects. Herein we report mechanistic studies of the visible light-induced CO release reaction of this compound. In wet CH₃CN under aerobic conditions, 5 releases 0.90(2) equivalents of CO upon illumination with visible light (419 nm) to give a single depside product. Performing the same reaction under an ¹⁸O₂ atmosphere results in quantitative incorporation of two labeled oxygen atoms in the depside product. Monitoring via¹H NMR and UV-vis during the illumination of 5 in CH₃CN using 419 nm light revealed the substoichiometric formation of a diketone (6) in the reaction mixture. H₂O₂ formation was detected in the same reaction mixtures. DFT studies indicate that upon light absorption an efficient pathway exists for the formation of a triplet excited state species (5b) that can undergo reaction with ³O₂ resulting in CO release. DFT investigations also provide insight into diketone (6) and H₂O₂ formation and subsequent reactivity. The presence of water and exposure to visible light play an important role in lowering activation barriers in the reaction between 6 and H₂O₂ to give CO. Overall, two reaction pathways have been identified for CO release from a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone.

Illumination of a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone with visible light results in CO release via two different reaction pathways.

Visible-to-NIR-Light Activated Release: From Small Molecules to Nanomaterials

Photoactivatable (alternatively, photoremovable, photoreleasable, or photocleavable) protecting groups (PPGs), also known as caged or photocaged compounds, are used to enable non-invasive spatiotemporal photochemical control over the release of species of interest. Recent years have seen the development of PPGs activatable by biologically and chemically benign visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. These long-wavelength-absorbing moieties expand the applicability of this powerful method and its accessibility to non-specialist users. This review comprehensively covers organic and transition metal-containing photoactivatable compounds (complexes) that absorb in the visible- and NIR-range to release various leaving groups and gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfide). The text also covers visible- and NIR-light-induced photosensitized release using molecular sensitizers, quantum dots, and upconversion and second-harmonic nanoparticles, as well as release via photodynamic (photooxygenation by singlet oxygen) and photothermal effects. Release from photoactivatable polymers, micelles, vesicles, and photoswitches, along with the related emerging field of photopharmacology, is discussed at the end of the review.

The detection of the precursors of the photorearranged products of 3-hydroxyflavones in selected solvents from UV-visible spectra in situ

Mechanistic studies relating to the photochemistry of 3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (3HF) and 6-chloro-3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (Cl-3HF) have been reinvestigated in selected solvents. The UV-visible spectra of the photoproduct(s) of 3HF and Cl-3HF have been computed in situ via subtracting the spectra of unreacted substrates, with acetonitrile (ACN) and methanol (MeOH) as solvents. These spectra turn out to be different from the spectra of the corresponding isolated photoproducts: 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-indan-1,2-dione and 6-chloro-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-indan-1,2-dione (referred to as dione ). Analyses of the photoproduct(s) via GC-MS show the formation of a single detectable product, i.e., the corresponding dione. On the basis of some experimental observations, it is proposed that the primary photoproduct in situ is 2,3-epoxy-2-hydroxy-1-indanone (referred to as epoxide) instead of dione as reported in previous years. Earlier, epoxide has been proposed to be the intermediate in the mechanism for the formation of dione. This is the first report where the formation of epoxide has been directly detected in the selected solvents. On the other hand, both dione and epoxide (2 : 1) are shown to be formed with MeOH as solvent. The second important finding is that epoxide and dione interconvert in the dark, depending upon the environment. With ACN as solvent, pure dione in the dark is kinetically and partially converted to epoxide. With MeOH as solvent, epoxide is instantly and partially converted to dione until both are in equilibrium. However, a solution of dione in MeOH remains stable in the dark. The photoformation of epoxide is quantitative with ACN as solvent and it is sufficiently stable. It has been further observed that epoxide solutions of 3HF and Cl-3HF in ACN are quantitatively converted into 3-phenylisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one and 6-chloro-3-phenylisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one, i.e., the corresponding phthalides, through the loss of CO when kept in the dark for some days. A mechanism has been proposed where epoxide has been shown to give dione and/or phthalide via selective C-O or C-C bond cleavage in the oxiranyl ring, respectively. The selection of this cleavage depends mainly on the solvent system and the substituents in the parent flavones.

3-Hydroxyflavones and 3-Hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines as Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecules

Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) that enable the delivery of controlled amounts of CO are of strong current interest for applications in biological systems. In this review, we examine the various conditions under which CO is released from 3-hydroxyflavones and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines to advance the understanding of how these molecules, or derivatives thereof, may be developed as CORMs. Enzymatic pathways from quercetin dioxygenases and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinoline dioxygenases leading to CO release are examined, along with model systems for these enzymes. Base-catalyzed and non-redox-metal promoted CO release, as well as UV and visible light-driven CO release from 3-hydroxyflavones and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines, are summarized. The visible light-induced CO release reactivity of recently developed extended 3-hydroxyflavones and a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone, and their uses as intracellular CORMs, are discussed. Overall, this review provides insight into the chemical factors that affect the thermal and photochemical dioxygenase-type CO release reactions of these heterocyclic compounds.

Hydrogen bonding effects on the fluorescence properties of 4'-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone in water and water-acetone mixtures

The fluorescence properties of 4'-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (FET), a dye probe sensitive to the polarity as well as the hydrogen bonding ability of its environment, have been studied in acetone-water mixtures by measuring spectra and decay curves over the whole composition range and analyzing the results on the basis of theoretical calculations. In acetone, like in most of organic solvents, the dye showed dual fluorescence, due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), in which a quasi-equilibrium between the two excited species, N* and T*, was reached. In acetone-water mixtures with lower molar fractions of water, where the water molecules are largely dispersed, only one type of hydrate could be detected, a complex with 1:1 composition, showing only N* emission, but with a high (0.45) fluorescence quantum yield. At higher water concentrations, the interaction of FET with the hydrogen-bonded water clusters resulted in fluorescence quenching. In neat water the fluorescence quantum yield fell to ~0.001. Theoretical calculations on a FET-acetone complex, a FET-water complex and a FET-water-acetone triple complex (the latter as model for the samples with low water concentrations) concluded that ESIPT was energetically favored in all the models, but the E(N*)-E(T*) energy difference for the water complexes was much lower. The kinetic barrier of ESIPT was found greatly higher in the FET-water complex than in the isolated solute. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the water complexes became significantly stronger following the excitation, stabilizing the N* form of the hydrated dye.

Visible-light-activated photoCORMs: rational design of CO-releasing organic molecules absorbing in the tissue-transparent window

Rational design of visible-light-activatable transition-metal-free CO-releasing molecules with an emphasis on mechanistic details of the CO release.

Photoreactions of 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one and 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one using cyclohexane and acetonitrile as solvents

Photolysis of the titled chromenones was carried out at their longest absorption band (∼360 nm) using cyclohexane (CH) and acetonitrile (ACN) as solvents, in both aerated and de-aerated solutions. Different dimeric photoproducts were formed with both chromenones in aerated solutions. On photolysing 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one (FHC) in aerated cyclohexane, 2-(furan-2-yl)-2-{[2-(furan-2yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl]oxy}-2H-chromene-3,4-dione (a dehydrodimer) was formed, and on photolysing 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (THC) in aerated ACN, a different dimeric product was isolated and identified. The corresponding 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-1,2-indandiones were also detected with FHC in ACN and with THC in CH, in addition to the dimeric products in both cases. On the other hand, in the de-aerated solutions, only the corresponding 1,2-indandiones were detected. 3-(Furan-2-yl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one as a secondary product was also detected with FHC in both solvents. An attempt was made to isolate the spectra of the photoproducts in situ. Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) and Excited State Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ESICT) processes complicate the photodynamics of the reaction, making it difficult to predict the mechanisms of the photoreactions. However, tentative mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the photoproducts.

Theoretical study on the photooxygenation and photorearrangement reactions of 3-hydroxyflavone

The mechanisms of three photodegradation reactions of 3-hydroxyflavone – its photosensitized oxygenation, photooxygenation with ³O₂ and photorearrangement into an indanedione derivative – have been investigated by computing the free energy profiles.