Redox-triggered disassembly of nanosized liposomes containing ferrocene-appended amphiphiles.

We report a redox-responsive liposomal system capable of oxidatively triggered disassembly. We describe the synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and incorporation into vesicles of an alternative redox lipid with significantly improved synthetic efficiency and scalability compared to a ferrocene-appended phospholipid previously employed by our group in giant vesicles. The redox-triggered disassembly of both redox lipids is examined in nanosized liposomes as well as the influence of cholesterol mole fraction on liposome disassembly and suitability of various chemical oxidants for in vitro disassembly experiments. Electronic structure density functional theory calculations of membrane-embedded ferrocenes are provided to characterize the role of charge redistribution in the initial stages of the disassembly process.