Confining supramolecular assemblies into three-dimensional scaffolds offers new methods for creating materials responsive to environmental changes including temperature, pH, ionic strength, and chemical stimuli. Here we report the generation of a family of bioorthogonal nanocatalysts that can be activated through small changes in temperature or pH. Our nanocatalysts were designed by confining discrete π-π assemblies of iron(II) tetraphenyl porphyrin in the protective monolayer of 2 nm gold nanoparticles bearing different surface functionalities. This supramolecular confinement produces a hybrid structure, with the iron centers sterically blocked and showing no catalytic properties. Depending on the monolayer design, the activation of these catalysts can be performed by subtle changes in temperature or pH. The performances of our stimuli responsive nanocatalysts were evaluated in complex environments such as bacteria cultures by bioorthogonally uncaging antibiotic prodrugs. This control of the dynamic behavior of confined supramolecular assemblies represents a potential tool for the fabrication of new stimuli responsive materials.

Stimuli responsive bioorthogonal nanocatalysts using iron(II) porphyrin active sites

256th National Meeting (2018)

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