We report the rational design of metal-organic layers (MOLs) that are built from [Hf6 O4 (OH)4 (HCO2 )6 ] secondary building units (SBUs) and Ir[bpy(ppy)2 ]+ - or [Ru(bpy)3 ]2+ -derived tricarboxylate ligands (Hf-BPY-Ir or Hf-BPY-Ru; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, ppy=2-phenylpyridine) and their applications in X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) of colon cancer. Heavy Hf atoms in the SBUs efficiently absorb X-rays and transfer energy to Ir[bpy(ppy)2 ]+ or [Ru(bpy)3 ]2+ moieties to induce PDT by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ability of X-rays to penetrate deeply into tissue and efficient ROS diffusion through ultrathin 2D MOLs (ca. 1.2 nm) enable highly effective X-PDT to afford superb anticancer efficacy.
Keywords: X-ray; cancer treatment; metal-organic layers; nanoscale materials; photodynamic therapy.
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