Cited by 493Fluorine in Organic ChemistryPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchSynthesis and properties of polymers

Biological Utility of Fluorinated Compounds: From Materials Design to Molecular Imaging, Therapeutics and Environmental Remediation

Zhang, Cheng, Yan, Kai, Fu, Changkui, Peng, Hui, Hawker, Craig J., Whittaker, Andrew K.·2022·Chemical Reviews

Abstract

The applications of fluorinated molecules in bioengineering and nanotechnology are expanding rapidly with the controlled introduction of fluorine being broadly studied due to the unique properties of C–F bonds. This review will focus on the design and utility of C–F containing materials in imaging, therapeutics, and environmental applications with a central theme being the importance of controlling fluorine–fluorine interactions and understanding how such interactions impact biological behavior. Low natural abundance of fluorine is shown to provide sensitivity and background advantages for imaging and detection of a variety of diseases with 19 F magnetic resonance imaging, 18 F positron emission tomography and ultrasound discussed as illustrative examples. The presence of C–F bonds can also be used to tailor membrane permeability and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs and delivery agents for enhanced cell uptake and therapeutics. A key message of this review is that while the promise of C–F containing materials is significant, a subset of highly fluorinated compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been identified as posing a potential risk to human health. The unique properties of the C–F bond and the significant potential for fluorine–fluorine interactions in PFAS structures necessitate the development of new strategies for facile and efficient environmental removal and remediation. Recent progress in the development of fluorine-containing compounds as molecular imaging and therapeutic agents will be reviewed and their design features contrasted with environmental and health risks for PFAS systems. Finally, present challenges and future directions in the exploitation of the biological aspects of fluorinated systems will be described.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00632

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306 of 306 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Zhang, C., Yan, K., Fu, C., Peng, H., Hawker, C. J., & Whittaker, A. K.
Affiliations
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
  • Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (CN)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Zhang, Cheng
  • Yan, Kai
  • Hawker, Craig J.
  • Whittaker, Andrew K.
Venue
Chemical Reviews
Published
2021-10-05
Volume
122
Issue
1
Pages
167-208
ISSN
  • 0009-2665 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-6890
OpenAlex
W3203050184
Cited by
493
References
307
Citations by year
2026: 92 · 2025: 126 · 2024: 117 · 2023: 87 · 2022: 69 · 2021: 1
FWCI
6.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Chemical Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Army Research Office (W911NF-19-2-0026)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1157440)
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M633503)
  • Australian Research Council (CE140100036)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (51803112)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Synthesis and properties of polymers
Keywords
fluorinated compounds, C-F bonds, fluorine-fluorine interactions, 19F MRI, molecular imaging, drug delivery, membrane permeability, pharmacokinetics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, environmental remediation, health risks, bioengineering, nanotechnology
MeSH terms
Pharmaceutical Preparations, Fluorine, Humans, Positron-Emission Tomography, Environmental Restoration and Remediation, Molecular Imaging

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