The development of red emissive aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active probes for organelle-specific imaging is of great importance. Construction of metal complex-based AIE-active materials with metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) emission together with the ligand-centered and intraligand (LC/ILCT) emission is a challenging task. We developed a red emissive ruthenium(II) complex, 1[PF], and its perchlorate analogues of the 4,7-dichloro phenanthroline ligand. 1[PF] has been characterized by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 showed AIE enhancement in water, highly dense polyethylene glycol media, and also in the solid state. The possible reason behind the AIE property may be the weak supramolecular π···π, C-H···π, and C-Cl···H interactions between neighboring phen ligands as well as C-Cl···O halogen bonding (XB). The crystal structures of the two perchlorate analogues revealed C-Cl···O distances shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, which confirmed the XB interaction. The AIE property was supported by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and atomic force microscopy studies. Most importantly, the probe was found to be low cytotoxicity and to efficiently permeate the cell membrane. The cell-imaging experiments revealed rapid staining of the nucleolus in HeLa cells via the interaction with nucleolar ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA). It is expected that the supramolecular interactions as well as C-Cl···O XB interaction with rRNA is the origin of aggregation and possible photoluminescence enhancement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of red emissive ruthenium(II) complex-based probes with AIE characteristics for selective rRNA detection and nucleolar imaging.

In this work, cationic organoiridium(III) complex based photoluminescent (PL) probes have been developed to selectively detect the chemical warfare nerve agent mimic, diethyl chlorophosphate(DCP) at nanomolar range by distinct bright green to orange-red luminescence color switching (on−off−on) in solution as well as in the vapor phase. Interference of other chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their mimics was not observed either by PL spectroscopy or with the naked-eye in solution and gas phase. The detection was attained via a simultaneous nucleophilic attack of two −OH groups of the 4,7-dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline ligand with DCP by forming bulkier phosphotriester. The detailed reaction mechanism was established through extensive 1 H NMR titration, 31 P NMR, and ESI-MS analysis. Finally, a test paper strip and solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) film with iridium(III) complex 1[PF 6 ] were fabricated for the vapor-phase detection of DCP. The solution and vapor-phase detection properties of these luminescent Ir(III) complexes can offer a worthy approach into the design of new metal complex based PL switching probes for chemical warfare agents.

A new bis-heteroleptic Ru(II) complex (1) of benzimidazole-substituted 1,2,3-triazole pyridine ligand has been designed and constructed for the photoluminescent detection of cationic and anionic analytes, Ag and phosphate ions. Compound, 1[PF] was fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and the solid-state structure was determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cation and anion sensing properties in 50% aqueous buffer (pH 9.2) and pure acetonitrile were carefully examined in photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The 1[PF] was found to be highly selective to pyrophosphate; PPi/HPO and HPO ions in CHCN. It showed ∼10-fold PL intensity enhancement at 583 nm in the presence of only 1 and 2 equiv of PPi and HPO ions, respectively. The PL titrations of 1[PF] with PPi and HPO in CHCN furnished the association constant (K = 3.3 × 10 M and 6.8 × 10 M) and the detection limit was as low as 5.73 and 5.19 ppb, respectively. The 1[PF] also selectively detected Ag over other competitive cations through the luminescence light up in 50% aqueous buffer (pH 9.2) media. The PL titration of 1[PF] with Ag showed ∼8-fold luminescence enhancement at 591 nm and yielded association constant, K = 3.5 × 10 M and the detection limit was determined to be 5.05 ppb. A new cation sensing mechanism has been established where the Ag ion is detected in photoluminescence spectroscopy through the unique cyclometalated Ag-triazolide complex formation. The high selectivity of 1[PF] for phosphates and Ag was established by PL in the presence of various competing ions. Finally, for biological application, the cytotoxicity study was performed. The probe showed low cytotoxicity and was suitable for intracellular Ag imaging. The cell imaging and in vitro photoluminescence study revealed that the probe stained the cell nucleoli and specifically bind with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and, therefore, it can also serve as a luminescent probe for rRNA in the presence of Ag.

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A green emissive cationic organoiridium(iii) complex, 2[PF6], with a benzimidazole-substituted 1,2,3-triazole-pyridine (BiPT) ligand has been synthesized for target-specific cellular imaging and selective detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) over other competitive biomolecules in aqueous buffer solution at physiological pH. Complex 2 shows aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties and forms nano-aggregates in the presence of poor solvents. DFT and TD-DFT-based quantum mechanical calculations were performed to substantiate some photophysical features and to establish the intermolecular π-π interactions which detain the vibrational as well as rotational motions to form the aggregates, resulting in enhanced photoluminescence (PL). To corroborate the formation of nano-aggregates and to understand the morphology of the aggregated particles, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were performed. 2[PF6] showed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility and was successfully employed in organelle-specific intracellular imaging. The in vivo and in vitro photoluminescence investigations affirmed that the probe stains cell nucleoli and selectively binds rRNA. It is assumed that the supramolecular π-π interactions between the benzimidazole of the BiPT ligand and the secondary structures of rRNA may facilitate aggregation and enable PL enhancement.

A Ru­(II) complex (Ru-1) of a substituted pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole ligand (BtPT) for highly selective “light-up” detection of hypochlorous acid is presented. An unusual anti-Markovnikov HOCl addition to the CC bond of 1,2,3-triazole and a highly specific C­(sp2)–H hydroxylation over epoxidation made Ru-1 a highly selective luminescent HOCl probe. The abnormal regio- and stereoselective HOCl addition and subsequent hydroxylation mechanism in detail is supported by the combination of ESI-MS, 1H/13C NMR spectroscopy, and 1H NMR titration. The hydroxylation at the C5 center in 1,2,3-triazole increases the electron density and makes BtPT a better σ-donor as well as π-donor, which in turn increases the 3MC–3MLCT energy gap and inhibits the nonradiative decay from the excited state of Ru-1 and is the key reason for luminescence light-up. Most importantly, the exogenous and endogenous HOCl imaging in the living HEK293T cells is also demonstrated. The probe showed low cytotoxicity and efficiently permeated the cell membrane. The cell-imaging experiments revealed rapid staining of the extranuclear region of HEK293T cells which clearly indicates the presence of cytoplasmic HOCl. The endogenous HOCl generation and imaging, stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and paraquat in the HEK293T cells, is also demonstrated.

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A 4-methylbenzothiazole linked maleimide-based single molecular bifunctional probe 1 has been synthesized for the colorimetric and fluorometric detection of highly competitive HS and cyanide ion in aqueous DMSO media. The probe 1 selectively detected CN under the UV-vis spectroscopy through the rapid appearance of deep pink color. The bright pink color developed due to ICT in the moderately stable cyano substituted enolate intermediate. The absorbance titration of 1 with CN revealed a new band at 540 nm and the nonlinear curve fitting analysis showed good fit with 1:1 model. In fluorescence channel, 1 was found to be highly selective to HS in 50% aqueous buffer (pH 7). It exhibited ∼16-fold fluorescence intensity enhancement at 435 nm after reaction with 1 equiv of HS due to the inhibition of PET. The 1-SH adduct showed TICT phenomenon and behaved like molecular rotor. It further displayed aggregation behavior at higher concentration and excitation wavelength dependent multicolor emission properties. Most interestingly, the spontaneous resolution of chiral S-isomer of the 1-SH adduct occurred during crystallization. The cell imaging study revealed the staining of the cell and multicolor emission in the presence of HS.