Photoactivatable (alternatively, photoremovable, photoreleasable, or photocleavable) protecting groups (PPGs), also known as caged or photocaged compounds, are used to enable non-invasive spatiotemporal photochemical control over the release of species of interest. Recent years have seen the development of PPGs activatable by biologically and chemically benign visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. These long-wavelength-absorbing moieties expand the applicability of this powerful method and its accessibility to non-specialist users. This review comprehensively covers organic and transition metal-containing photoactivatable compounds (complexes) that absorb in the visible- and NIR-range to release various leaving groups and gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfide). The text also covers visible- and NIR-light-induced photosensitized release using molecular sensitizers, quantum dots, and upconversion and second-harmonic nanoparticles, as well as release via photodynamic (photooxygenation by singlet oxygen) and photothermal effects. Release from photoactivatable polymers, micelles, vesicles, and photoswitches, along with the related emerging field of photopharmacology, is discussed at the end of the review.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

• MeSH
• Photolysis MeSH
• Molecular Structure MeSH
• Organic Chemicals chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Organic Chemicals MeSH

A clean bifurcation between two important photochemical reactions through competition of a triplet state Type II H-abstraction reaction with a photo-Favorskii rearrangement for (o/p)-hydroxy-o-methylphenacyl esters that depends on the water content of the solvent has been established. The switch from the anhydrous Type II pathway that yields indanones to the aqueous-dependent pathway producing benzofuranones occurs abruptly at low water concentrations (~8%). The surprisingly clean yields suggest that such reactions are synthetically promising.

• MeSH
• Benzene Derivatives chemistry   MeSH
• Benzofurans chemical synthesis   chemistry   MeSH
• Esters MeSH
• Photochemical Processes MeSH
• Indans chemical synthesis   chemistry   MeSH
• Solvents MeSH
• Water chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Benzene Derivatives MeSH
• Benzofurans MeSH
• Esters MeSH
• Indans MeSH
• Solvents MeSH
• Water MeSH