Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Fluorophore Exhibits a Highly Ratiometric Fluorescent Response to Zn2+ in vitro and in Human Liver Cancer Cells.
Two novel organic fluorophores, containing bis-naphthylamide and quinoline motifs, have been designed and synthesized. One of the fluorophores contains an isobutylene unit and exhibits a significant aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and a remarkable highly selective ratiometric fluorescence response towards Zn2+ in solution as well as in human liver cancer cells. The AIE behavior of this fluorophore was fully verified by fluorescence and UV/Vis spectroscopy, quantum yield calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed an intricate crystal packing system. Conversely, a fluorophore that lacks the isobutylene moiety did not exhibit any significant fluorescent properties as a result of its more flexible molecular structure that presumably allows free intramolecular rotational processes to occur.
['Mehdi|Hassan|H|', 'Gong|Weitao|W|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0896-8895', 'Guo|Huimin|H|', 'Watkinson|Michael|M|', 'Ma|Hua|H|', 'Wajahat|Ali|A|', 'Ning|Guiling|G|']
D002470:Cell Survival D005456:Fluorescent Dyes D056945:Hep G2 Cells D006801:Humans D007476:Ionophores D008113:Liver Neoplasms D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy D015394:Molecular Structure D061848:Optical Imaging D011804:Quinolines D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship D014961:X-Ray Diffraction D015032:Zinc
aggregation-induced emission fluorophores bioimaging sensors zinc