Divergent Syntheses of Near-Infrared Light Activated Molecular Jackhammers to Eradicate Cancer Cells

Aminocyanines involving Cy7 and Cy7.5 amines function as molecular jackhammers (MJH) by vibronic-driven action (VDA). That has been demonstrated through the coupling of the molecular vibrational and electronic modes, causing picosecond whole-molecule concerted stretching. If the molecules are cell-associated and then activated by near infrared light, the VDA mechanically disrupts the cell membranes resulting in the rapid death by necrosis. Distinct from photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy, VDA with its ultrafast vibrational action is not slowed by high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. With the importance of these MJH libraries, their efficient syntheses are here disclosed. We report a practical approach to access the key intermediate, facilitating the preparation of various Cy7 and Cy7.5 MJH in moderate and high yields with diverse side chains to study structure-¬activity relationships.