Several examples of nanosized therapeutic and imaging agents have been proposed to date, yet for most of them there is a low chance of clinical translation due to long-term in vivo retention and toxicity risks. The realization of nano-agents that can be removed from the body after use remains thus a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate that non-equilibrium gold-iron alloys behave as shape-morphing nanocrystals with the properties of self-degradable multifunctional nanomedicines. DFT calculations combined with mixing enthalpy-weighted alloying simulations predict that Au-Fe solid solutions can exhibit self-degradation in aqueous environment if the Fe content exceeds a threshold that depends upon element topology in the nanocrystals. Exploiting a laser-assisted synthesis route, we experimentally confirm that non-equilibrium Au-Fe nanoalloys have a 4D behavior, that is the ability to change shape, size and structure over time, becoming ultrasmall Au-rich nanocrystals. In vivo tests show the potential of these transformable Au-Fe nanoalloys as efficient multimodal contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and computed x-ray absorption tomography and further demonstrate their self-degradation over time, with a significant reduction of long-term accumulation in the body, when compared to benchmark gold or iron oxide contrast agents. Hence, Au-Fe alloy nanoparticles exhibiting 4D behavior can respond to the need for safe and degradable inorganic multifunctional nanomedicines required in clinical translation.

Phthalocyanine (H₂Pc) and its open-shell copper complex (CuPc) deposited on amorphous gold films have been studied by combining the outcomes of several synchrotron based spectroscopic tools (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV photoelectron spectroscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure, NEXAFS, spectroscopy) with those of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The assignment of experimental evidence has been guided by the results of DFT numerical experiments carried out on isolated molecules. With specific reference to CuPc NEXAFS data collected at the N K-edge, they have been assigned by using the open-shell time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) in the framework of the zeroth order regular approximation (ZORA) scalar relativistic approach. The agreement between theory and experiment has been found to be satisfactory, thus indicating that the open-shell TDDFT (F. Wang and T. Ziegler, Mol. Phys., 2004, 102, 2585) may be used with some confidence to look into the X-ray absorption spectroscopy results pertinent to transition metal complexes. As far as the metal–ligand interaction is concerned, the combined use of NEXAFS spectroscopy and DFT outcomes ultimately testified the significant ionic contribution characterizing the bonding between the metal centre and the nitrogen atoms of the phthalocyanine coordinative pocket.

On-surface molecular functionalization paved the way for the stabilization of chelated ions in different oxidation and spin states, allowing for the fine control of catalytic and magnetic properties of metalorganic networks. Considering two model systems, a reduced Co(I) and an open-shell Co(II) metal-supported 2D molecular array, we investigate the interplay between the low valence oxidation and unpaired spin state in the molecular reactivity. We show that the redox reaction taking place at the cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin/Cu(100) interface, stabilizing the low-spin Co(I) state with no unpaired electrons in its valence shell, plays a pivotal role in changing the reactivity. This goes beyond the sole presence of unpaired electrons in the valence state of the Co(II) metal–organic species, often designated as being responsible for the reactivity towards small molecules like NO and NO₂. The reversible Co–NO₂ interaction, established with the Co(I) leads to the stabilization of the Co(III) oxidation state.