Hetero-oligophenylene-based AIEE material as a multiple probe for biomolecules and metal ions to construct logic circuits: application in bioelectronics and chemionics

New hetero-oligophenylene derivative (2) was synthesized which exhibits aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) in H(2)O/THF (80:20). The aggregates serve as a biological probe for three different proteins, that is bovine serum albumin (BSA), cytochrome?c, and lysozyme, and DNA in contrasting modes. Further, among 29 metal ions tested, the contrasting fluorescence behavior of aggregates of 2 is observed with only Pb(2+) and Pd(2+) ions. Multiple output logic circuits based upon the fluorescence behavior between BSA and cytochrome?c and between Pb(2+) and Pd(2+) ions are constructed.