A fluorescent molecular rotor showing vapochromism, aggregation-induced emission, and environmental sensing in living cells

König M, Storti B, Bizzarri R, Guldi DM, Brancato G, Bottari G (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Journal of Materials Chemistry C Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 3018-3027

Journal Issue: 14

DOI: 10.1039/c5tc03541d

Abstract

Among the plethora of recently proposed molecular sensors, those belonging to the class of fluorescent molecular rotors (FMRs) have attracted much attention owing to their peculiar photophysical properties that enable an unprecedented sensitivity towards environmental microviscosity. The usual FMR synthetic design prescribes chromophores characterized by an intramolecular rotation between two well-defined excited states, a locally excited state and a twisted internal charge transfer (TICT) state, where the sensing capabilities arise from a dual competition of the corresponding radiative/non-radiative decay processes. However, we have recently demonstrated a different modus operandi of a new subclass of solvatochromic FMRs, which exploit a solvent-independent, barrier-free intramolecular rotation of the excited dye. The rotational dynamics is modulated by local viscosity and, in turn, manifested through a variable spectral signal. In order to translate the same rotational mechanism in a versatile sensor of polarity and viscosity, we designed and thoroughly characterized a novel FMR, namely 4-(triphenylamino)-phthalonitrile (TPAP). Remarkably, in addition to a high sensitivity versus solvent polarity and viscosity, TPAP is also able to form stable fluorescent nanoparticles characterized by aggregation-induced emission, via a simple sonochemical treatment. Such peculiar features are tested in different applications aiming at illustrating its capability to report on solvatochromic and vapochromic effects, as well as to provide detailed intracellular information through bioimaging studies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias König Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I Dirk Michael Guldi Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I

Involved external institutions

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) / National Research Council of Italy IT Italy (IT) Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (SNS) IT Italy (IT) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) ES Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

König, M., Storti, B., Bizzarri, R., Guldi, D.M., Brancato, G., & Bottari, G. (2016). A fluorescent molecular rotor showing vapochromism, aggregation-induced emission, and environmental sensing in living cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 4(14), 3018-3027. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5tc03541d

MLA:

König, Matthias, et al. "A fluorescent molecular rotor showing vapochromism, aggregation-induced emission, and environmental sensing in living cells." Journal of Materials Chemistry C 4.14 (2016): 3018-3027.

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