The MSCA project is concerned with the design and development of cutting-edge metallo-supramolecular assemblies based on subphthalocyanines, BODIPYs and azaBODIPYs for various applications such as molecular recognition, catalysis, and biological studies. The applications stemming from the formation of host-guest complexes within 3D capsules are diverse and impactful. These 3D architectures, creating a distinctive environment and geometric constraint, open avenues for medical applications as drug carriers, molecular recognition for selective encapsulation, and catalytic chambers or nanocontainers for reactions. Subpthalocyanines (SubPcs), with their non-planar cone-shaped conformation and inherent chirality, present unique structural and photophysical features. Additionally, the BODIPYs, a versatile fluorescent dye with excellent properties, hold promise for bioimaging, biological labelling, and fluorescence assays due to their low toxicity and high photostability. In this context, the goal of this project (DyeMetalloCage) included the investigating on advancing of SubPc and BODIPYs metallo-supramolecular cage chemistry. This project aims to bring metallo-supramolecular chemistry to unprecedented levels of applicability, developing novel water soluble assemblies constructed through supramolecular tools as new materials for technologically- and biologically relevant functions. To achieve this, we decided to devolve water soluble SubPc and BODIPYs supramolecular cages/metallocycles and investigated them for catalytic and biological applications.
Overall objectives are a) Synthesis of SubPc/azaBODIPYs ligands and their metallo-supramolecular assemblies. Standardization of synthetic route and purification technique to obtain the cages in appreciable yield; b) Investigate the ability of SubPcs metallo-supramolecular cages to serve as molecular receptors for the complexation of fullerenes and other molecules in water media. c) Assess the potential of these assemblies to create hydrophobic reaction environments in aqueous solutions, influencing and accelerating chemical reactions over fullerene species in an aqueous environment. This unexplored goal could have a significant impact on the scientific community. d) Investigate the potential of azaBODIPYs metallo-supramolecular π-amphiphiles to self-assemble into nanostructures. Explore their applications in biomedical contexts, leveraging their photosensitization capabilities for singlet oxygen generation, anticancer activity, and fluorescence properties.
