Two photolabile amphiphilic supramolecules were designed and synthesized with mono-dendrite and tri-dendrite, which can reversibly self-assemble to spheroid and wedge-shaped nanoparticles. With multiple branches of terminal amine labeled PEG, these nanoparticles can associate with a negatively charged oligonucleotide and their usage for oligonucleotide delivery was evaluated. Oligonucleotide/nanoparticle complex containing tri-dendrite can efficiently deliver oligonucleotide into cells via endocytosis, while the complex containing mono-dendrite almost lost their ability to deliver oligonucleotide. Further light activation triggered the dissociation of tri-dendrite supramolecular assembly via 1,4- and 1,6-quinone-methide rearrangement, leading to the efficient unpacking of the oligonucleotide in cells.
