Light-Gated Amine Exchange in Diarylethene-Crosslinked Microgels.

ABSTRACT: The functionalization of microgels with photoswitchable moieties enables the construction of multi-responsive systems, which are highly interesting for biological applications, for example, in drug delivery. Controlling the reversible uptake of functional molecules, however, remains a major challenge. To address this, we developed a novel aniline-type diarylethene (DAE) crosslinker and prepared a series of corresponding poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-based microgels with varying degrees of DAE crosslinker. Upon UV light irradiation, the aniline (and thus enamine) motif of the DAE is converted to its imine form, thus allowing for reversible exchange with primary amines. Irradiating the DAE with blue light covalently locks the equilibrium and traps the amine in the microgels. The light-controlled

SUBMITTER: Broi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12455440 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature