Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Fluorophore Exhibits a Highly Ratiometric Fluorescent Response to Zn2+ in vitro and in Human Liver Cancer Cells.
Hassan MehdiWeitao GongHuimin GuoMichael WatkinsonHua MaAli WajahatGuiling NingPublished in: Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) (2017)
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.
Keyphrases
- fluorescent probe
- living cells
- solid state
- energy transfer
- single molecule
- quantum dots
- molecular dynamics
- heavy metals
- high resolution
- density functional theory
- electron microscopy
- single cell
- molecular dynamics simulations
- ionic liquid
- monte carlo
- dual energy
- magnetic resonance imaging
- risk assessment
- crystal structure
- water soluble
- nitric oxide
- sensitive detection