Constructing Singlet Oxygen "Slow Release" Platform to Optimize the Performance of Commercial Photosensitizers

Commercial photosensitizers (PSs) present great potential in the field of clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) yet face a formidable challenge owing to the extremely short lifespan of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)). Herein, the O-1(2) slow-release "platform" is proposed based on an anthracene-groups functionalized D-pi-A system (AIC), which can capture and slowly release O-1(2) produced by commercial PSs. Meanwhile, the reversible chemical process between AIC and O-1(2) is demonstrated by a series of optical experiments and high-resolution mass spectrum. Remarkably, by virtue of O-1(2) slow-release "platform", the sustaining mitochondrial autophagy and cell apoptosis still take place when the laser is cut off with a short period of irradiation, reducing the side effect of sustained irradiation. In general, the construction of O-1(2) slow-release platform opens up exciting opportunities for improving the PDT effect of commercial PSs.