Geminal cross-coupling synthesis, ion-induced emission and lysosome imaging of cationic tetraarylethene oligoelectrolytes

Abstract

Neutral conjugated tetraarylethenes OF_n (n = 1–3) and the corresponding cationic conjugated oligoelectrolytes OF_n+ (n = 1–3) with aggregation-induced emission activity have been designed and synthesized using geminal cross-coupling. OF_n+ (n = 1–3) feature ion-induced emission in aqueous solution. They are used for lysosomal fluorescence imaging and tracing of lysosome events.