A novel photoresponsive molecular hybrid has been embedded in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to give an antibacterial polymeric film generating nitric oxide (NO) under visible light, with concomitant fluorescence reporting of NO release. The molecular hybrid integrates a nitroaniline NO photodonor and a coumarin latent fluorophore in the same molecular skeleton and results in quite homogeneous distribution in the polymer matrix where it preserves well the photobehavior exhibited in solution. The doped PLGA film shows an excellent optical transparency and can be excited by visible light leading to the production of NO and the parallel fluorescence revival of the coumarin fluorophore, which acts as an optical NO reporter. Photogenerated NO diffuses out of the polymer film, can be transferred to a biological milieu and induces remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli

This contribution reports the design, synthesis and photochemical properties of a novel cationic, water soluble, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) conjugate integrating an anthracene moiety and a nitroaniline derivative A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 2 βCD derivative represents an intriguing candidate for further studies in biopharmaceutical research addressed to multimodal therapeutic applications.

A simple and green synthetic protocol for the rapid and effective preparation of Ag, Au and Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) is reported based on the light irradiation of a biocompatible, water‐soluble dextran functionalized with benzophenone (BP) in the presence of AgNO3, HAuCl4, or both. Photoactivation of the BP moiety produces the highly reducing ketyl radicals through fast (<50 ns) intramolecular H‐abstraction from the dextran scaffold, which, in turn, ensures excellent dispersibility of the obtained metal NPs in water. The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs and the photothermal action of the Au@Ag core–shell are also shown.

Covalent functionalization of graphene oxide with a suitable NO photodonor leads to a nanohybrid material that releases NO under visible light and has potential applications in biomedical research.