Spontaneous Nanoparticle Formation From a Fluorescent Nucleoside Analogue

Abstract

A fluorescent nucleoside analogue, C-A, featuring two non-complementary nucleobases linked through an ethynyl group, was synthesized. The extended pi-conjugation imparts C-A with red-shifted absorbance (relative to adenine and cytosine) and pale-blue fluorescence. It spontaneously forms nanoparticles, which exhibit considerably enhanced fluorescence, without the help of any additional stabilizing agent. The DMSO/water ratio was an important factor influencing the construction of the NPs. X-ray crystallography confirmed the structure of C-A; dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the existence of the nanoparticles.