A Maleimide‐functionalized Tetraphenylethene for Measuring and Imaging Unfolded Proteins in Cells

Collapse of the protein homeostasis (proteostasis) can lead to accumulation and aggregation of unfolded proteins, which has been found to associate with a number of disease conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and inflammation. Here we report a maleimide‐functionalized tetraphenylethene (TPE)‐derivatized fluorescent dye, TPE‐NMI, which shows fluorescence turn‐on property upon reacting with unfolded proteins in vitro and in live cells under proteostatic stress conditions. The level of unfolded proteins can be measured by flow cytometry and visualized with confocal microscopy.     

Reversible Multistimuli‐Response Fluorescent Switch Based on Tetraphenylethene–Spiropyran Molecules

Two tetraphenylethene (TPE)‐functionalized spiropyran (SP) molecules with very similar structure were designed and synthesized. The two molecules exhibit aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties, as well as multistimuli‐responsive color‐changing properties, such as photochromism and acidchromism. The investigation of their different photochromic and acidchromic characteristics and dual‐response fluorescent switch during isomerization indicated that the different link position between TPE and SP will significantly affect the extended π‐conjugated system, resulting in completely different photochromic and acidchromic properties.     

Construction of a Luminogen Exhibiting High Contrast and Multicolored Emission Switching through Combination of a Bulky Conjugation Core and Tolyl Groups

Stimuli‐responsive luminogens may find application in highly sensitive sensors, memories and security inks. However, few examples exhibiting both high contrast and multi‐colored emission switching have been reported due to the absence of a molecular design strategy. Through combination of large conjugation core and peripheral phenyl rings, we obtained ditolyldibenzofulvene ( 1 ). Luminogen 1 is AIE active and exhibits tetracolored emission depending on its morphology. Its three single crystals emit blue, yellow and dark orange light upon excitation, exhibiting a maximal emission of 461 nm, 545 nm and 586 nm, respectively, and its amorphous solid emits at 557 nm. All the four aggregates exhibit enhanced emission intensity at lower temperature, but only the orange‐emissive crystals exhibit blue‐shifted emission. The emission of 1 can be switched reversibly between any two of the four states through morphology tuning. Finally, the potential application of 1 in optical data storage was also investigated.     

Photo‐/Baso‐Chromisms and the Application of a Dual‐Addressable Molecular Switch

Two typical molecular switches of spiropyran (SP) and benzoxazine (OX) were fused by sharing an indole to achieve a new dual‐addressable molecular switch (SP‐OX‐NO₂). Through proper molecular modification with NO₂, the transformation from merocyanine (MC) to ring‐closed SP or ring‐closed OX can be controlled separately with visible light or base stimuli in solution, respectively, and these processes are verified by UV‐vis and NMR spectroscopy as well as control experiments. The cis‐merocyanine (cis‐MC) form is involved in the basochromic process in solution. DFT calculation suggests that the bidirectional switching property of the fused SP‐OX molecular switch can be controlled separately, when the OX isomer is more stable than the deprotonated SP isomer. Because of the significant color variations in solution, the simple dual‐addressable switch has been further successfully applied to construct a multicolor reversible display on paper.     

具有聚集诱导发光效应的聚炔材料的合成及光学性能研究

合成了三种含有四苯基乙烯结构的双炔烃.这些双炔烃单体通过在CuCl催化下在邻二氯苯中进行的均聚反应可以高产率地生成线型聚炔.所得聚合物均可很好地溶解于常见有机溶剂中,并具有很高的热稳定性.这类聚炔材料在溶液态时几乎不发光,但在聚集态或者固态下可高度发光,表现出典型的聚集诱导发光性质.同时,这些聚合物具有高透光性,可以允许整个可见光区的光透过.其薄膜在400～1700 nm宽波长范围内表现出高折射率（n=1.7787～1.6543）和低色差（D'=0.0003）.紫外光照射可诱使聚合物薄膜发生交联过程,从而调控其折射率数值,并可生成高分辨率的荧光图案.     

Aggregation‐Induced Emission‐Active 1,4‐Dihydropyridine‐Based Dual‐Phase Fluorescent Sensor with Multiple Functions

A N‐2‐phenylethyl‐substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridine derivative (NDHP) containing 5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐dione and naphthylethylene was designed and synthesized. NDHP acts as a multifunctional fluorescent sensor in dual phases. The crystal structure analysis confirms that the NDHP molecules have highly twisted conformations. The twisted conformation results in aggregation‐induced emission properties and solid‐state emission, by restricting the intramolecular free rotation in the aggregated or solid state. In the solid state, NDHP exhibits reversible mechanochromic properties as a result of the transition between the amorphous and crystalline states. NDHP also exhibits a rare phenomenon of acid‐fumed solid‐state emission enhancement owing to the change in packing mode from a zigzag arrangement to J‐aggregation. The solid‐state stimuli‐responsive fluorescence switching is applied to realize a rewritable optical recording media and a multiple output combinational logic system. In solution, NDHP shows a selective fluorescence response for environmentally harmful Hg²⁺, with a limit of detection of 2.7 nm . This results from the “turn‐on” responsive behavior owing to the Hg²⁺‐triggered aggregation of the NDHP molecules. NDHP is also used in the imaging of intracellular Hg²⁺ in HeLa cells. These findings provide a feasible and attractive route for developing multifunctional fluorescent sensors for use in dual phases.     

A Fluorescent Probe with Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Detecting Alkaline Phosphatase and Cell Imaging

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is associated with many diseases, and its accurate detection is of great significance. Fluorescent compounds with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) feature show beneficial advantages for serving as fluorescent probes. Herein, an AIE‐active “turn on” probe for ALP detection was synthesized through incorporating a strong electron‐withdrawing group (cyano) in the middle and the recognition moiety phosphate group at the end, thereby rendering a D–A–D structure with a relatively high conjugation degree and good water solubility. It was found that the probe TPE‐CN‐pho is highly sensitive to ALP in aqueous solution. In the presence of ALP, the hydrophilic phosphate group on the probe is rapidly removed, resulting in a decrease in water solubility and subsequent formation of aggregates, thereby achieving aggregation‐induced emission. Moreover, the probe TPE‐CN‐pho has also been successfully applied to imaging ALP in living cells.     

Fluorescent Light‐up Probe for the Detection of Protein Aggregates

A fluorescent dye was decorated with water‐soluble pyridinium groups in order to be applied in the detection of cyclodextrins or DNA. The dye displays an enhancement of its emission intensity when the internal rotations are restricted due to the formation of an inclusion complex with cyclodextrins or upon interaction with DNA. In vivo, the fluorescent probe can stain protein aggregates with a selectivity comparable to the widely used Proteostat®.     

Recent Advances in the Z/E Isomers of Tetraphenylethene Derivatives: Stereoselective Synthesis,AIE Mechanism,Photophysical Properties,and Application as Chemical Probes

Focused research on the Z/E isomers of tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives is scarce in comparison with the thousands of luminogens with AIE properties (AIEgens) that have been synthesized based on the TPE moiety. The similar chemical and physical properties of the Z/E isomers make them difficult to separate by using conventional chromatographic techniques. However, they can be isolated by introducing polar groups and the pure isomers exhibit very different photophysical properties, mechanochromism, and host–guest coordination, as well as assisting in deciphering the AIE mechanism. In this Minireview, we present an overview of the disagreement regarding the AIE mechanism between the restriction of intramolecular vibration and photoinduced Z/E isomerization. Then, we discuss the development of (Z)‐/(E)‐TPE derivatives, their use in host–guest detection, and their mechanoluminescence properties, with a focus on their photophysical characteristics. Finally, we explore the stereoselective synthesis of pure (Z)‐/(E)‐TPE derivatives.     

Aggregation‐Induced Emission: Recent Advances in Materials and Biomedical Applications

The concept of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) has opened new opportunities in many research fields. Motivated by the unique feature of AIE fluorogens (AIEgens), during the past decade, many AIE molecular probes and AIE nanoparticle (NP) probes have been developed for sensing, imaging and theranostic applications with excellent performance outperforming conventional fluorescent probes. This Review summarizes the latest advancement of AIE molecular probes and AIE NP probes and their emerging biomedical applications. Special focus is to reveal how the AIE probes are evolved with the development of new multifunctional AIEgens, and how new strategies have been developed to overcome the limitations of traditional AIE probes for more translational applications via fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging and image‐guided photodynamic/photothermal therapy. The outlook discusses the challenges and future opportunities for AIEgens to advance the biomedical field.     

Selective Fluorescence Turn‐On Sensing of Phosphate Anion in Water by Tetraphenylethylene Dimethylformamidine

A tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative bearing two dimethylformamidine units was synthesized. The dihydrogen chloride salt of this TPE derivative was soluble in water and showed almost no emission. By addition of phosphate anions, the dihydrogen chloride salt could be transformed into the monohydrogen chloride salt, which was barely soluble and emitted strong fluorescence through aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), while many other anions could not bring about a fluorescence enhancement. Meanwhile, the dihydrogen chloride salt and monohydrogen chloride salt could be reversible transformed by addition of acid and base alternately in the presence of phosphate anion, which led to fluorescence turn‐on and turn‐off. Therefore, the TPE dimethylformamidine holds potential for selectively sensing phosphate anions in water and use as fluorescence pH switch. This study provided a new approach to AIEgen sensors by using formamidine groups.     

Illuminating Protein Phase Separation: Reviewing Aggregation-Induced Emission,Fluorescent Molecular Rotor and Solvatochromic Fluorophore Based Probes

Protein phase separation process involving protein unfolding, misfolding, condensation and aggregation etc. has been associated with numerous human degenerative diseases. The complexity in protein conformational transitions results in multi-step and multi-species biochemical pathways upon protein phase separation. Recent progresses in designing novel fluorescent probes have unraveled the enriched details of phase separated proteins and provided mechanistic insights towards disease pathology. In this review, we summarized the design and characterizations of fluorescent probes that selectively illuminated proteins at different phase separated states with a focus on aggregation-induced emission probes, fluorescent molecular rotors, and solvatochromic fluorophores. Inspired by these pioneering works, a design blueprint was proposed to further develop fluorescent probes that can potentially shed light on the unresolved protein phase separated states in the future.     

一种新型苝类荧光开关的构建及对H2O2与Vc分子的识别

以苝四酸酐为原料合成了新型的水溶性荧光分子——N,N’-二谷氨酸铵盐-3,4,9,l0-苝四羧酸二酰亚胺(PTCDG),其结构经1 H NMR、IR证实.以顺磁性Fe3+和抗磁性Fe2+与PTCDG构建荧光开关,当以顺磁性的Fe3+存在时,荧光团和Fe3+之间发生PET效应,荧光猝灭,而当以抗磁性的Fe2+存在时,PE...     

p‐Quaterphenylene as an Aggregation‐Induced Emission Fluorogen in Supramolecular Organogels and Fluorescent Sensors

Two dumbbell‐shaped organogelators with a p ‐quaterphenylene core were synthesized, and their self‐assembly properties were investigated. These low‐molecular‐weight gelators could form self‐supporting gels in many apolar organic solvents with an H‐type aggregation form through a synergic effect of π–π stacking, intermolecular translation‐related hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces. In comparison to the p ‐terphenylene‐cored gelator, the extended π‐conjugated segment improved the gelation efficiency significantly with enhanced gelation rate. Additionally, these p ‐quaterphenylene‐centered gelators exhibited strong fluorescence emission induced by aggregation, which not only provided an in situ method to optically monitor the gelation process, but also endowed these self‐assemblies with substantial applications in sensing explosives.     

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Aggregation‐Induced Emission Enhancement Controlled by Optical Manipulation

We present spatiotemporal control of aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) of a protonated tetraphenylethene derivative by optical manipulation. A single submicrometer‐sized aggregate is initially confined by laser irradiation when its fluorescence is hardly detectable. The continuous irradiation of the formed aggregate leads to sudden and rapid growth, resulting in bright yellow fluorescence emission. The fluorescence intensity at the peak wavelength of 540 nm is tremendously enhanced with growth, meaning that AIEE is activated by optical manipulation. Amazingly, the switching on/off of the activation of AIEE is arbitrarily controlled by alternating the laser power. This result means that optical manipulation increases the local concentration, which overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between the protonated molecules, namely, optical manipulation changes the aggregate structure. The dynamics and mechanism in AIEE controlled by optical manipulation will be discussed from the viewpoint of molecular conformation and association depending on the laser power.     

A Helicate‐Based Three‐State Molecular Switch

The control of structural transformations triggered by external signals is important for the development of novel functional devices. In the present study, it is demonstrated that helicates can be designed to structurally respond to the presence of different counterions and to adopt either a compressed or an expanded structure. Reversible switching is not only possible between those two states, furthermore, the twist of the aggregate also can be controlled. Thus, three out of four possible states of a helicate (expanded/left‐handed, expanded/right‐handed, compressed/left‐handed) based on an enantiomerically pure ester bridged dicatecholate ligand are specifically addressed by introduction, exchange, or removal of countercations. This approach is used to reversibly switch between the different states or to successively address them.     

共聚物Poly(DMAEMA-co-TPE-a)的合成及pH敏感荧光多孔光纤制备

将甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲氨乙酯(DMAEMA)和微量荧光单体4-丙烯酰氧基四苯乙烯(TPE-a)经自由基共聚合制备了共聚物Poly(DMAEMA-co-TPE-a)(PDT),并通过引入交联剂N,N-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(Bis)和致孔剂N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)制备了pH敏感荧光多孔光纤。采用FT-IR、~1 H-NMR、TG和SEM表征了产物的结构,研究了产物的荧光和pH响应性能。研究表明,共聚物PDT具有聚集诱导发光(AIE)效应,并具有较好的pH响应性能;当单体、交联剂和致孔剂的物质的量之比为60∶1∶40时,制备的pH敏感荧光多孔光纤具有较好的耐热性能、内部结构和pH响应性能。