Construction of pH-Responsive Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonds for Tunable Drug Release

In the present work, we propose a novel strategy for preparing supramolecular self-assemblies for pH-responsive drug delivery. In alkaline solutions, a novel supra-amphiphile can be fabricated by a cationic surfactant dodecyl[2-(4-formylphenoxy)ethyl] dimethylammonium bromide (C-12-CHO) and a drug molecule (isonicotinic acid hydrazide) via a dynamic covalent bond. The constructed supra-amphiphile can hierarchically self-assemble into ordered micelles, which facilitates its use for drug delivery. Interestingly, the supra-amphiphile can facilely disassemble under specific acidic conditions, which is convenient for controlled release of drugs. Thus, this ionic amphiphile-drug system paves a way for realizing pH-driven targeted drug release.