A fluorocarbon nucleoamphiphile for the construction of actinide loaded microspheres

The synthesis of a novel fluorocarbon based nucleoamphiphile; 2′,3′-O-di-2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoro-undecanoyl-uridine-5′-phosphocholine (DiF17UPC) is described. DiF17UPC self-assembles into lamellar organizations unlike 1,2-distearoyluridinophosphocholine (DSUPC) which forms DNA-like helical fibre under similar conditions. The fluorocarbon chains have a significant impact on the supramolecular assemblies formed by the nucleoamphiphiles. The SEM and TEM images collected clearly indicate the formation of microspheres when DiF17UPC is hydrated in the presence of thorium nitrate at high temperature (T > 90 °C). The DiF17UPC/Th4+ microspheres vary in size from 0.5 to 12 μm.