Target-Oriented Synthesis of Triphenylphosphine Functionalized Carbon Dots with Negative Charge for ROS Scavenging and Mitochondrial Targeting
Xiangli Li, Yingjie Li, Mengxian Du, Yu. V. Petrov, В. Е. Баулин, Yujin Wang, Huiping Yuan, Yu Zhou, Baoqiang Li
Abstract
Triphenylphosphine functionalized carbon dots (TPP-CDs) showcase robust mitochondria targeting capacity owing to their positive electrical properties. However, TPP-CDs typically involve complicated synthesis steps and time-consuming postmodification procedures. Especially, the one-step target-oriented synthesis of TPP-CDs and the regulation of TPP linkage modes remain challenges. Herein, we propose a free-radical-initiated random copolymerization in combination with hydrothermal carbonation to regulate the TPP backbone linkage for target-oriented synthesis of triphenylphosphine copolymerization carbon dots (TPP copoly -CDs). The linkage mechanism of random copolymerization reactions is directional, straightforward, and controllable. The TPP content and IC 50 of hydroxyl radicals scavenging ability of TPP copoly -CDs are 53 wt % and 0.52 mg/mL, respectively. TPP serves as a charge control agent to elevate the negatively charged CDs by 20 mV. TPP copoly -CDs with negative charge can target mitochondria, and in the corresponding mechanism the TPP moiety plays a crucial role in targeting mitochondria. This discovery provides a new perspective on the controlled synthesis, TPP linkage modes, and mitochondrial targeting design of TPP-CDs.