Stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks gated by pillar[5]arene supramolecular switches

Chem Sci. 2015 Mar 1;6(3):1640-1644. doi: 10.1039/c4sc03749a. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Abstract

Spurred on by recent advances in materials chemistry and drug delivery, a new stimuli-responsive theranostic hybrid platform, based on mechanized monodisperse nano metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) gated by carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP5) switches with bio-friendly pH-triggered cargo release capabilities, has been constructed for the first time. This nanoscale smart cargo delivery system showed pH- and/or competitive binding agent-triggered controlled cargo release with negligible premature release, large pore sizes for drug encapsulation, low cytotoxicity, good biodegradability and biocompatibility, and potential application in cell imaging, which offers a new tool in targeted drug delivery and the controlled release of therapeutic agents.