Photoremovable Protecting Groups for the Release of Gasotransmitters (NO, H2S, CO, SO2)

Recently, the light-triggered release of gasotransmitters in a spatially and temporally controlled fashion has gained much interest. Our research group has synthesized different photoresponsive gasotransmitter releasing molecules based on perylene, tetraphenylethylene, p-hydroxyphenacyl, flutamide, and diazeniumdiolate with real-time monitoring ability. The developed donors provided interesting properties like good solubility under physiological conditions, excellent fluorescence properties, and efficient release ability with good quantum yield upon visible light irradiation.  In vitro studies revealed that our developed donors exhibited abilities like efficient cellular internalization and good biocompatibility.