Fixation of pharmaceuticals on graphene surfaces

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Siegfried Eigler; Professor Dr. Markus Heinrich
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 470387051

In a current joint project, the applicants were able to show that arylazocarboxylic acid esters are suitable for a novel, defect selective functionalization of graphene. In this research project, further aryl radical sources under various reaction conditions are to be considered with regard to selectivity in graphene functionalization. In the second section, the newly developed functionalization reactions will be used to link cleavable linkers to the graphene surface. Thereby a fluorescent dye is attached to enable the model study of the targeted release of bound compounds. The studies are performed on both surface bound graphene and dissolved graphene derivatives. Finally, the collected results will be used for the binding of drugs on the graphene surface, whereat in the case of covalent binding, a triggered release will be enabled by the cleavable linkers. The above mentioned selectivity in graphene functionalization, which is based on the use of various aryl radical precursors, will in particular be employed to attach cytostatic drugs in combination with polyethylene glycol derivatives to graphene. In this way, not only water solubility and cancer cell targeting can be improved, but it is further possible to significantly reduce the otherwise observed toxicity of graphene. In summary, the aryl radical based, selective functionalization of graphene thus enables the development of novel, medicinally applicable carrier systems, which can overcome the yet known drawbacks of graphene as carrier material. To aim at medicinal application, the graphene conjugates prepared within the research project will be continuously – and in the final stage intensively –evaluated regarding their biomedical properties.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Alberto Bianco