Ultra-Small Air-Stable Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion Nanoparticles for Anti-Stokes Time-Resolved Imaging

Image contrast is often limited by background autofluorescence in steady-state bioimaging microscopy. Upconversion bioimaging can overcome this by shifting the emission lifetime and wavelength beyond the autofluorescence window. Here we demonstrate the first example of triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) based lifetime imaging microscopy. A new class of ultra-small nanoparticle (NP) probes based on TTA-UC chromophores encapsulated in an organic–inorganic host has been synthesised. The NPs exhibit bright UC emission (400–500 nm) in aerated aqueous media with a UC lifetime of ≈1 μs, excellent colloidal stability and little cytotoxicity. Proof-of-concept demonstration of TTA-UC lifetime imaging using these NPs shows that the long-lived anti-Stokes emission is easily discriminable from typical autofluorescence. Moreover, fluctuations in the UC lifetime can be used to map local oxygen diffusion across the subcellular structure. Our TTA-UC NPs are highly promising stains for lifetime imaging microscopy, affording excellent image contrast and potential for oxygen mapping that is ripe for further exploitation.     

基于二氧化硅纳米颗粒的三重态-三重态湮灭上转换研究

以氟化的四苯基卟啉铂为光敏剂，硅氧烷衍生化的9，10-二苯基蒽为发光体构筑了基于三重态-三重态湮灭机制的上转换体系.采用紫外可见分光光度计和荧光光谱仪研究了其在二氯甲烷溶液中的上转换性能，确定了光敏剂和发光体的最佳比例为1：40.在此比例下，以胶束模板法构筑了尺寸均一，能在水中稳定的上转换二氧化硅纳米颗粒，通过透射电子显微镜（TEM）和动态光散射仪（DLS）表征了其形貌和尺寸（TEM统计平均直径为15.5 nm，平均水合直径为22.5 nm）；当以532 nm的激光作为激发光源时，实现了水中的上转换发射，上转换发光寿命为12 μs，上转换量子效率为0.8%.     

基于三线态-三线态湮灭的能量上转换

能量上转换近些年来引起了人们的广泛关注,具有许多方面的潜在应用,包括光伏技术、光合成、光催化和生物成像等。基于三线态-三线态湮灭(TTA)的能量上转换由于其具有激发光不需要是相干光,强度低,而且只要通过改变TTA过程中不同的敏化剂和受体,就能改变TTA上转换的激发光和发射光的波长等优点,有着广泛的应用前景。本文介绍了TTA上转换的机理,综述了TTA上转换近些年来的研究进展,总结了一些常用的敏化剂和受体,讨论了TTA上转换目前存在的问题及今后的发展方向。     

Visible-to-UV Photon Upconversion: Recent Progress in New Materials and Applications

Ultraviolet (UV, λ<400 nm) light is essential for various photochemical reactions, but its intensity in the solar spectrum is very low, and light sources that artificially generate high-energy UV light are inefficient and environmentally unfriendly. A solution to this problem is photon upconversion (UC) from visible (vis, λ>400 nm) light to UV light. Among several mechanisms, UC based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) in particular has made remarkable progress in recent years. The development of new chromophores has enabled highly efficient conversion of low-intensity visible light into UV light. In this review, we summarize the recent development of visible-to-UV TTA-UC, from the development of chromophores and their production into films to their application in various photochemical processes such as catalysis, bond activation and polymerization. Finally, challenges and opportunities in future material development and applications will be discussed.     

First-Row d6 Metal Complex Enables Photon Upconversion and Initiates Blue Light-Dependent Polymerization with Red Light

Photosensitizers for sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (sTTA-UC) often rely on precious heavy metals, whereas coordination complexes based on abundant first-row transition metals are less common. This is mainly because long-lived triplet excited states are more difficult to obtain for 3d metals, particularly when the d-subshell is only partially filled. Here, we report the first example of sTTA-UC based on a 3d⁶ metal photosensitizer yielding an upconversion performance competitive with precious metal-based analogues. Using a newly developed Cr⁰ photosensitizer featuring equally good photophysical properties as an Os^II benchmark complex in combination with an acetylene-decorated anthracene annihilator, red-to-blue upconversion is achievable. The upconversion efficiency under optimized conditions is 1.8 %, and the excitation power density threshold to reach the strong annihilation limit is 5.9 W/cm². These performance factors, along with high photostability, permit the initiation of acrylamide polymerization by red light, based on radiative energy transfer between delayed annihilator fluorescence and a blue light absorbing photo-initiator. Our study provides the proof-of-concept for photon upconversion with elusive first-row analogues of widely employed precious d⁶ metal photosensitizers, and for their application in photochemical reactions triggered by excitation wavelengths close to near-infrared.     

用于生物成像的三线态-三线态湮灭上转换发光纳米胶囊

为解决三线态-三线态湮灭上转换发光材料(TTA-UC)生物应用时固载化困难的问题,通过一步细乳液聚合法合成了以正十六烷为内核,以红光激发的硅酞菁为敏化剂和发光高效的红荧烯为受体,具有优异上转换发光性能的核壳结构纳米胶囊(TTA-UCNP)。TTA-UCNP粒径约为190 nm,均一性及分散性良好。体系引入了抗氧化剂D-柠檬烯和聚异丁烯,有效消除了氧气分子对上转换发光过程的淬灭,保证了上转换发光的稳定性。在动物成像应用中,TTA-UCNP成功实现了活体层次前哨淋巴结高信噪比的成像及长时间示踪。     

Tricyano-Methylene-Pyridine Based High-Performance Aggregation-Induced Emission Photosensitizer for Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy

Photosensitizers equipped with high reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability and bright emission are essential for accurate tumor imaging and precise photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, traditional aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) photosensitizers cannot simultaneously produce desirable ROS and bright fluorescence, resulting in poor image-guided therapy effect. Herein, we report an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer TCM-Ph with a strong donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) structure, which greatly separates the HOMO–LUMO distribution and reduces the ΔE_ST, thereby increasing the number of triplet excitons and producing more ROS. The AIE photosensitizer TCM-Ph has bright near-infrared emission, as well as a higher ROS generation capacity than the commercial photosensitizers Bengal Rose (RB) and Chlorine e6 (Ce6), and can effectively eliminate cancer cells under image guidance. Therefore, the AIE photosensitizer TCM-Ph has great potential to replace the commercial photosensitizers.     

Strapped Porphyrins as Model Systems for Atropisomeric Photosensitizer Drugs

The time dependence of atropisomer interconversion has limited the pursuit of single atropisomer drug candidates, even in circumstances where one atropisomer presents favorable biological activity over another. Moderate interconversion energy barriers risk compromising drug stability. As a result, examples of atropisomerically pure drugs in current clinical use are rare. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards the development of single, stable atropisomer drug candidates with enhanced activity. Consequently, development of methods which effectively restrict rotation in a configuration which favors activity is highly beneficial. The picket fence porphyrin α₄ atropisomer configuration has been previously demonstrated to improve the cell internalization of the pre-clinical drug, redaporfin, applied in photodynamic therapy. In this work, the α₄ configuration was modelled with novel porphyrin photosensitizers through strapped moieties which effectively fixed the atropisomeric configuration. The stable cis-αα configuration demonstrated enhanced cell membrane permeation, effectively predicting the behavior of the α₄ configuration and indicates that strapped porphyrins can serve as stable model systems for the investigation of photoactive drugs.     

Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing Pyrene‐Functionalized 1,10‐Phenanthroline Ligands as Highly Efficient Sensitizers for Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion

“Chemistry‐on‐the‐complex” synthetic methods have allowed the selective addition of 1‐ethynylpyrene appendages to the 3‐, 5‐, 3,8‐ and 5,6‐positions of Ir^III‐coordinated 1,10‐phenanthroline via Sonogashira cross‐coupling. The resulting suite of complexes has given rise to the first rationalization of their absorption and emission properties as a function of the number and position of the pyrene moieties. Strong absorption in the visible region (e.g. 3,8‐substituted Ir‐3 : λ_abs=481 nm, ?=52 400 m ^?1 cm^?1) and long‐lived triplet excited states (e.g. 5‐substituted Ir‐2 : τ_T=367.7 μs) were observed for the complexes in deaerated CH₂Cl₂. On testing the series as triplet sensitizers for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion, those Ir^III complexes bearing pyrenyl appendages at the 3‐ and 3,8‐positions ( Ir‐1 , Ir‐3 ) were found to give optimal upconversion quantum yields (30.2 % and 31.6 % respectively).     

BOPHY-Fullerene C60 Dyad as a Photosensitizer for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

A novel BOPHY–fullerene C₆₀ dyad ( BP-C₆₀ ) was designed as a heavy-atom-free photosensitizer (PS) with potential uses in photodynamic treatment and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated applications. BP-C₆₀ consists of a BOPHY fluorophore covalently attached to a C₆₀ moiety through a pyrrolidine ring. The BOPHY core works as a visible-light-harvesting antenna, while the fullerene C₆₀ subunit elicits the photodynamic action. This fluorophore–fullerene cycloadduct, obtained by a straightforward synthetic route, was fully characterized and compared with its individual counterparts. The restricted rotation around the single bond connecting the BOPHY and pyrrolidine moieties led to the formation of two atropisomers. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational studies disclose an efficient photoinduced energy/electron transfer process from BOPHY to fullerene C₆₀. Photodynamic studies indicate that BP-C₆₀ produces ROS by both photomechanisms (type I and type II). Moreover, the dyad exhibits higher ROS production efficiency than its individual constitutional components. Preliminary screening of photodynamic inactivation on bacteria models (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) demonstrated the ability of this dyad to be used as a heavy-atom-free PS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that not only a BOPHY–fullerene C₆₀ dyad is reported, but also that a BOPHY derivative is applied to photoinactivate microorganisms. This study lays the foundations for the development of new BOPHY-based PSs with plausible applications in the medical field.     

Expanding Anti‐Stokes Shifting in Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion for In Vivo Anticancer Prodrug Activation

A strategy to expand anti‐Stokes shifting from the far‐red to deep‐blue region in metal‐free triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) is presented. The method is demonstrated by in vivo titration of the photorelease of an anticancer prodrug. This new TTA system has robust brightness and the longest anti‐Stokes shift of any reported TTA system. TTA core–shell‐structured prodrug delivery capsules that benefit from these properties were developed; they can operate with low‐power density far‐red light‐emitting diode light. These capsules contain mesoporous silica nanoparticles preloaded with TTA molecules as the core, and amphiphilic polymers encapsulating anticancer prodrug molecules as the shell. When stimulated by far‐red light, the intense TTA upconversion blue emission in the system activates the anticancer prodrug molecules and shows effective tumor growth inhibition in vivo. This work paves the way to new organic TTA upconversion techniques that are applicable to in vivo photocontrollable drug release and other biophotonic applications.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Rb2B2Se7, Tl2B2Se7, Cs3B3Se10, and Tl3B3Se10: New Perseleno‐selenoborates with Polymeric Anionic Chains

The perseleno‐selenoborates Rb₂B₂Se₇ and Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ were prepared from the metal selenides, amorphous boron and selenium, the thallium perseleno‐selenoborates Tl₂B₂Se₇ and Tl₃B₃Se₁₀ directly from the elements in evacuated carbon coated silica tubes by solid state reactions at temperatures between 920 K and 950 K. All structures were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The isotypic perseleno‐selenoborates Rb₂B₂Se₇ and Tl₂B₂Se₇ crystallize in the monoclinic space group I 2/a (No. 15) with lattice parameters a = 12.414(3) Å, b = 7.314(2) Å, c = 14.092(3) Å, β = 107.30(3)°, and Z = 4 for Rb₂B₂Se₇ and a = 11.878(2) Å, b = 7.091(2) Å, c = 13.998(3) Å, β = 108.37(3)° with Z = 4 for Tl₂B₂Se₇. The isotypic perseleno‐selenoborates Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ and Tl₃B₃Se₁₀ crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 (Cs₃B₃Se₁₀: a = 7.583(2) Å, b = 8.464(2) Å, c = 15.276(3) Å, α = 107.03(3)°, β = 89.29(3)°, γ = 101.19(3)°, Z = 2, (non‐conventional setting); Tl₃B₃Se₁₀: a = 7.099(2) Å, b = 8.072(2) Å, c = 14.545(3) Å, α = 105.24(3)°, β = 95.82(3)°, γ = 92.79(3)°, and Z = 2). All crystal structures contain polymeric anionic chains of composition ([B₂Se₇]^2–)_n or ([B₃Se₁₀]^3–)_n formed by spirocyclically fused non‐planar five‐membered B₂Se₃ rings and six‐membered B₂Se₄ rings in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1, respectively. All boron atoms have tetrahedral coordination with corner‐sharing BSe₄ tetrahedra additionally connected via Se–Se bridges. The cations are situated between three polymeric anionic chains leading to a nine‐fold coordination of the rubidium and thallium cations by selenium in M₂B₂Se₇ (M = Rb, Tl). Coordination numbers of Cs⁺ (Tl⁺) in Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ (Tl₃B₃Se₁₀) are 12(11) and 11(9).     

Superhard boron suboxide (B6O): Crystal structure,synthesis, properties,applications, and materials based thereon

A review of reported data on the crystal structure, synthesis, and properties of boron suboxide B₆O, which is a superhard material (hardness of up to 55 GPa, as measured in single crystals), and composites based on it is presented. Methods for the synthesis of B₆O with a icosahedral structure and for the growing of crystals at high temperature and high pressure are described. The mechanical and operational characteristics of composite materials based on B₆O are summarized; the resistance of B₆O to oxidation is analyzed, and the properties of B₆O–diamond and B₆O–B₄C composite materials are described.     

A Porphyrin as a Binucleating Ligand: Preparation and Crystal Structure of a Porphyrin Complex Containing a Coordinated B2O2 Ring

A new coordination mode for the porphyrin ligand is found in [B₂O₂(BCl₃)₂(tpClpp)] (tpClpp=dianion of 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-chlorophenylporphyrin; the p-chlorophenyl groups are omitted for clarity in the picture shown on the right). This complex contains a four-membered B₂O₂ ring in the cavity of the ligand. The two boron atoms are coplanar with the porphyrin molecule, which undergoes an elongation along the B⋅⋅⋅B axis to accomodate the unusual guest.     

Catalytic Double Carbon–Boron Bond Formation for the Synthesis of Cyclic Diarylborinic Acids as Versatile Building Blocks for π‐Extended Heteroarenes

The first catalytic synthesis of cyclic diarylborinic acids is developed using a dihydroaminoborane reagent as the boron source. Unlike previously reported methods that use organolithium reagents, this method allows the easy synthesis of cyclic diarylborinic acids bearing a range of functionalities including CN, CO₂Et, CONEt₂ and NMeCO₂^t Bu. Furthermore, these cyclic diarylborinic acids provide rapid access to skeletal diversity, in particular they enable the synthesis of six‐ to nine‐membered π‐extended heteroarenes through simple cross‐coupling reactions, which are important synthetic targets in both advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.     

Phosphaniminato-Komplexe von Bor. Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von [BBr2(NPMe3)]2, [B2Br3(NPiPr3)2]Br, [B2(NPEt3)4]Br2, [B2Br2(NPPh3)3]BBr4 und [{B2(NMe2)2}2(NPEt3)2]Cl2

Phosphoraneiminato Complexes of Boron. Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [BBr₂(NPMe₃)]₂, [B₂Br₃(NPⁱPr₃)₂]Br, [B₂(NPEt₃)₄]Br₂, [B₂Br₂(NPPh₃)₃]BBr₄ and [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₃)₂]Cl The bromoderivatives of the title compounds are prepared from the corresponding silylated phosphoraneimines Me₃SiNPR₃ and boron tribromide. The boron subcompound [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₃)₂]Cl₂ derives from Me₃SiNPEt₃ and B₂Cl₂(NMe₂)₂. All complexes are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by crystal structure determinations. [BBr₂(NPMe₃)]₂ (1): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, R = 0.031. Lattice dimensions at ?50°C: a = 723.8, b = 894.2, c = 1305.4 pm, β = 92.35°. 1 forms centrosymmetric molecules in which the boron atoms are linked via μ₂-N bridges of the NPMe₃^? groups of from B₂N₂ four-membered rings with B? N distances of 149.9 and 150.9 pm. B₂Br₃(NPⁱPr₃)₂]Br (2): Space group P2₁, Z = 2, R = 0.059. Lattice dimensions at ?80°C: a = 817.6, b = 2198.7, c = 851.5 pm, β = 115.09°. In the cations of 2 the boron atoms are lined via the μ₂-N atoms of the NPⁱPr₃^? groups to form planar, asymmetric B₂N₂ four-membered rings with B? N distances of 143 and 156 pm. [B₂(NPEt₃)₄[Br₂·4CH₂Cl₂ (3): Space group C2/c, Z = 4, R = 0.042. Lattice dimensions at ?50°C: a = 1946.1, b = 1180.3, c = 2311.3 pm, β = 101.02°. The structure contains centrosymmetric dications in which both the boron atoms are lined by the N atoms of two of the NPEt₃^? groups to form a B₂N₂ four-membered ring with B? N distances of 149.6 pm. The remaining two NPEt₃^? groups are terminally bonded with very short B? N distances of 133.5 pm. B₂Br₂(NPPh₃)₃]BBr₄ (4): Space group P1 , Z = 2, R = 0.065. Lattice dimension at ?50°C: a = 1025.7, b = 1496.1, c = 1807.0 pm, α = 85.09°, β = 82.90°, γ = 82.72°. In the cation the boron atoms are lined via the μ₂-N atoms of two of the NPPh₃^? groups to form a nearly planer B₂N₂ four-membered ring with B? N distances of 149.3-153.1 pm. The third NPPh₃³ group is terminally connected with teh sp² hybridized boron atom and with a B? N distance of 134.1 pm along with an almost linear BNP bond angle of 173.6°. [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₂)₂]Cl₂ · 3CH₂Cl₂ (5): Space group C2/c, Z = 4, R = 0.098. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 1557.9, b = 1294.7, c = 2122.9 pm, β = 96.08°. The structure of 4 contains centrosymmetric dications in which two by two B-B dumb-bells are linked via the μ₂-N atoms of the two NEPt₃^? groups to form B₄N₂ six-membered rings with B? N distances of 150 and 156 pm and B-B distances of 173 pm. The B? N distances of the terminally bonded NMe₂^? groups correspond to 138 pm double bonds.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von Vanadium(III)‐borophosphat,V2[B(PO4)3]

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Vanadium(III) Borophosphate, V₂[B(PO₄)₃] By reaction of boron phosphate, BPO₄, and vanadium(IV)‐oxide, VO₂, at 1050 °C a hitherto unknown vanadium(III)‐borophosphate is formed. Its composition was found to be V₂BP₃O₁₂, its structure was elucidated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, the cell parameters are: a = b = 13.9882Å; c = 7.4515Å; α = β = 90°, γ = 120°; Z = 6; space group: P6 3/m. Noteworthy features of the structure are V₂O₉ units (two V^IIIO₆ octahedra connected via their faces) and isolated trisphosphatoborate groups, B(PO₄)₃. By shared oxide ions, the aforementioned groups are interconnected, thus forming a three dimensional network. The structural relation between the title compound and an analogous chromium compound is discussed.     

Borylborazines as new precursors for boron nitride fibres

A variety of borylborazine-based polymers were successfully converted into boron nitride fibres via the preceramic polymer route. In this procedure, four monomers were polycondensed into highly tractable polymers which could be easily melt-spun into fine-diameter green fibres. These polymeric filaments were then transformed into boron nitride fibres after a well-defined heat-treatment at 1800 °C in a controlled atmosphere. All the resulting ceramic fibres were mechanically tested. In particular, results showed that the promising mechanical properties for two of the polymer-derived fibres were closely related to the structural units of the corresponding preceramic polymers.