AIE-active iridium(iii) complex integrated with upconversion nanoparticles for NIR-irradiated photodynamic therapy

Abstract

The integration of an aggregation induced emission (AIE)-active Ir(iii) complex and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) has achieved a NIR-irradiated photosensitizer (PS), UCNPs@Ir-2-N, for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications.

AIE-active Ir(iii) complexes functionalised with a cationic Schiff base ligand: synthesis, photophysical properties and applications in photodynamic therapy

“…[38][39][40] In this work, two AIE-active complexes Ir-1-N + and Ir-2-N + were obtained by a straightforward synthetic method with easy purification in high yields by using a chalcone Schiff base as auxiliary ligand. 41 The cationic quaternary amine functionality in Ir-1-N + and Ir-2-N + was designed to enhance hydrophilicity, cellular uptake and internalization of the PSs, by analogy with other ionic transition metal complexes. [42][43][44] The introduction of a quinolone-triphenylamine derivative as the cyclometalating ligand aims to increase the molar absorption and the singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generation ability of Ir-2-N + .…”

Ir(III) Complexes with AIE Characteristics for Biological Applications

“…Therefore, the conjugation of PSs to UCNPs presents an alternative to achieve NIR light-triggered generation of ROS. With this idea in mind, Liu et al [ 52 ] employed AIE-active non-charged Ir(III) complexes integrated with UCNPs for the first time ( Figure 4 A). In UV-vis absorption spectra, 7 and 8 exhibited absorption peaks at ~425 nm.…”

“…All the results illustrated the feasible strategy that UCNPs and AIE-active 8 were encapsulated together to achieve effective energy transfer and exerted their respective advantages to construct NIR-irradiated PSs, UCNPs@8 , which generated toxic ROS and thereby killed the cancer cells. This approach effectively overcame the problems of Ir(III) complexes, which own short-wavelength absorption [ 52 ].…”

“…( I ) Confocal fluorescence images for detecting 1 O 2 generation in 4T1 cells treated with UCNPs@8 . Reprinted with permission from [ 52 ], copyright 2022, Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

AIPE-active cationic Ir(iii) complexes for efficient detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and oxygen

“…[45][46][47] On the other hand, the diphenylamino (DPA) group has been proved to be an efficient functional substituent for tuning the properties of phosphorescent materials. [48][49][50] Recently, our group reported a series of Ir(III) complexes bearing DPA-modified 2-phenylpyri-dine derivatives for oxygen sensing. 51,52 To the best of our knowledge, an AIPE-active cationic Ir(III) complex with 2-phenylbenzothiazole or its derivative as the cyclometalating ligand for the detection of TNP and oxygen has not been reported.…”