Target-Oriented Synthesis of Triphenylphosphine Functionalized Carbon Dots with Negative Charge for ROS Scavenging and Mitochondrial Targeting

Triphenylphosphine functionalized carbon dots (TPP-CDs) showcase robust mitochondria targeting capacity owing to their positive electrical properties. However, TPP-CDs typically involve complicated synthesis steps and time-consuming postmodification procedures. Especially, the one-step target-oriented synthesis of TPP-CDs and the regulation of TPP linkage modes remain challenges. Herein, we propose a free-radical-initiated random copolymerization in combination with hydrothermal carbonation to regulate the TPP backbone linkage for target-oriented synthesis of triphenylphosphine copolymerization carbon dots (TPPcopoly-CDs). The linkage mechanism of random copolymerization reactions is directional, straightforward, and controllable. The TPP content and IC50 of hydroxyl radicals scavenging ability of TPPcopoly-CDs are 53 wt % and 0.52 mg/mL, respectively. TPP serves as a charge control agent to elevate the negatively charged CDs by 20 mV. TPPcopoly-CDs with negative charge can target mitochondria, and in the corresponding mechanism the TPP moiety plays a crucial role in targeting mitochondria. This discovery provides a new perspective on the controlled synthesis, TPP linkage modes, and mitochondrial targeting design of TPP-CDs.