New carbon nanohoop enables controlled iron release

Researchers from the Universities of Amsterdam and Zurich have created a new system to control iron release. They combined ferrocene, which contains an iron atom, with a carbon structure called a nanohoop. The system releases Fe2+ ions when activated by green light. This work was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research teams, led by Dr. Tomáš Šolomek and Dr. Peter Štacko, specialize in using light to control molecular activities. Their goal was to manage iron's role, an important element in biological systems. Iron helps transport oxygen in the body and plays a role in energy production and cellular protection. The researchers' system mimics natural processes that regulate iron levels but is simpler and synthetic. They use ferrocene to carry iron within a carbon nanohoop, which alters the ferrocene's stability. This integration puts mechanical stress on the structure, making it reactive to green light. Upon exposure to light, the system efficiently releases iron. The team believes their methods could inspire the creation of new materials in various fields, such as supramolecular and polymer chemistry.