Long Wavelength Single Photon Like Driven Photolysis Via Triplet-Triplet Annihilation

Photolysis has enabled the occurrence of numerous discoveries in chemistry, drug discovery and biology. However, there is a dearth of efficient long wavelength light mediated photolysis. Here, we report general and efficient long wavelength single photon method for a wide array of photolytic molecules via triplet-triplet annihilation photolysis (TTAP). This method is versatile and "LEGO"-like. The light partners (the photosensitizers and the photolytic molecules (PPG-Xs)) can be energetically matched to adapt to an extensive range of electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths and the diversified chemical structures of photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs), photolabile linkages, as well as a broad array of targeted molecules. Our TTAP not only surpasses reaction yields, it also resolves the photodamage problem of the existing photolysis methods, regardless of whether they are a single photon or multiple photons associated. Furthermore, we developed ambient air-stable, TTAP nanoparticles to illustrate the biological promise of TTAP “LEGO” systems.