Photochemistry is an important multidisciplinary scientific field at the forefront of research in chemistry, physics and biology, with numerous applications in modern technologies. Quintessence of the research in photochemistry is focused on the development of new functional chromophores with different applications. Within the project we work on three chromophores, BODIPY, carbazoles and biphenylamines, their synthesis and investigation of the photophysical properties and photochemical reactivity. Furthermore, we try to find the applications of these chromophores in organic synthesis and biology. The BODIPY derivatives are excellent fluorescent dyes which are investigated with the aim to develop new photo-cleavable protective groups (photocages) and intracellular fluorescent labels or drug delivery vehicles. The carbazole derivatives are synthesized to develop new line of cancer photo-therapeutics that base their action on generation of aza-quinone methides (aza-QM), and not singlet oxygen. Furthermore, we work on the elucidation of reaction mechanism of aza-QM generation and its use in the synthesis of complex aza-heterocycles. The biphenylamine derivatives are investigated as potential two-photon absorbing photocages that absorb visible light and can be used in biology. In addition to the fundamental character of the investigation, we aim to go beyond the state of the art and seek applications, not only in organic synthesis, but also in biomedicine, such as in the development of new photo-activable drugs or new fluorescent reagents for the staining of organelles in microscopy. It is anticipated that the FunPhotoAppSynBio team will find a number of functional chromophores with biological activities (hit molecules), which will be further improved towards lead molecules. This will help in the development of new fluorescent tools in diagnostics and photo-treatments for cancer with minimal side-effects, with benefits to the whole society.

Published papers:

1. Ge, Lingfeng; Guo, Yan; Zhang, Shu-Lin; Phillips, David Lee; Basarić, Nikola; Ma, Jiani: Mechanistic investigations of photochemical generation of quinone methides // PCCP. Physical chemistry chemical physics, 27 (2025), 29; 15272-15292. doi: 10.1039/d5cp01322d

Participation at the conferences and dissemination:

4. Glavaš, Mladena; Vidoša, Lorena; Mušković, Martina; Ratkaj, Ivana; Basarić, Nikola: Synthesis and characterization of BODIPY fluorescent dyes for selective staining of intracellular organelles // 25th Tetrahedron Symposium Brugge, Belgija, 01.07.2025-04.07.2025

3. Basarić, Nikola; Antol, Ivana; Sapunar, Marin; Došlić, Nađa; Brusar, Vedran; Forjan, Mateo; Vdović, Silvije; Cannizzo, Andrea; Cerullo, Giulio; Paradžik, Mladen et al.: Higher excited state photochemistry of BODIPY: mechanistic study and applications in fluorescence labeling // Photochemistry Gordon Research Conference GRC- 2025 Portland (ME), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 27.07.2025-01.08.2025

2. Basarić, Nikola; Lovrinčević, Vilma; Vuk, Dragana; Škorić, Irena: Photochemistry of biphenylamine photocages // 32nd International Conference on Photochemistry in Aachen Aachen, Njemačka, 13.07.2025-18.07.2025

1. Basarić, Nikola: Development of photocages for the applications in chemistry and biology // Summer Conference of Croatian Chemical Society Rijeka-Pula 2025 Rijeka, Hrvatska, 10.07.2025-11.07.2025 

PhD and Mr thesis:

1. Lovrinčević, Vilma: Aminonaftalenske i aminobifenilne fotokemijski uklonjive zaštitne skupine / doktorska disertacija, Zagreb, Fakultet kemijskog inženjerstva i tehnologije, 2025

Project team:

dr. sc. Nikola Basarić, IRB, PI

dr. sc. Mladena Glavaš, IRB, co-worker

dr. sc. Lidija Uzelac, IRB, co-worker

prof. dr. sc. Irena Škorić, FKIT, co-worker

prof. dr. sc. Dragana Vuk, FKIT, co-worker

dr. sc. Vilma Lovrinčević, co-worker