Ultraviolet Light Responsive N‐Nitroso Polymers for Antibacterial Nitric Oxide Delivery

Abstract This study investigates the incorporation of active secondary amine moieties into the polymer backbone by co‐polymerizing 2,4,6‐ tris (chloromethyl)‐mesitylene with three diamines, namely 1,4‐diaminobutane, m ‐phenylenediamine, and p ‐phenylenediamine. This process results in the stabilization of the amine moieties and the subsequently introduced nitroso groups. Charging bioactive nitric oxide (NO) into the polymers is accomplished by converting the amine moieties into N ‐nitroso groups. The ability of the polymers to store and release NO depends on their structures, particularly the amount of incorporated active secondary amines. With grafting photosensitive N ‐nitroso groups into the polymers, the derived NO@polymers exhibit photoresponsivity. NO release is completely regulated by adjusting UV light irradiation. These resulting polymeric NO donors demonstrate remarkable bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity, effectively eradicating E. coli bacteria and inhibiting their growth. The findings from this study hold promising implications for combining NO delivery with phototherapy in various medical applications.