Platinum(II)-Metallaclip-Based Theranostics for Cell Imaging and Synergetic Chemotherapy–Photodynamic Therapy

Supramolecular coordination complexes formed by coordination-induced assembly not only avoid the loss of activity of precursors but also provide an efficient way for controlled release, which can be further used in various fields of biology such as drug delivery, cell imaging, and tumor treatment. In this work, a PtII metallaclip (4) was prepared from 4-[4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl]pyridine (1), 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-(pyridin-4-yl)porphyrin (2), 90o Pt, and glycol-chain-modified isophthalic acid (3) in an acetone/water mixture through the “coordination-driven self-assembly” method. 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry were used to characterize the obtained metallaclip 4. 4 can self-assemble into fluorescent nanostructures in aqueous solution because of the tetraphenylethylene unit and its amphiphilic nature. Importantly, the fluorescent nanoparticles not only can be employed for cell imaging but also can generate singlet oxygen (1O2) under 660 nm laser irradiation and the release of Pt drug in the tumor issue for cancer therapy. The work may provide a new way for scientists to construct functional biomaterials with multiple applications via molecular self-assembly.