Working Paper
Authors
- Changhuo Xu
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ,
- hang zou ,
- zheng zhao ,
- Zheng Zheng ,
- Ryan Tsz Kin Kwok ,
- Jacky W. Y. Lam ,
- Herman H.-Y. Sung ,
- ian duncan williams ,
- Lei Zheng ,
- Ben Zhong Tang
Abstract
The development of dark
pro-AIEgens based on solid-state intramolecular motion-caused quenching effect has
been rarely reported in biochemical analysis. Herein, an azo-conjugated pro-AIEgen derived from
tetraphenylethene is constructed. Owing to the active photoisomerization of the
azo bond, it retains a non-emissive property in both solution and solid forms. The obtained pro-AIEgen can be internalized by living cells
and undergo reductase-modulated derotation under hypoxia to emit the light. It shows increasing
fluorescence when intracellular oxygen
concentration becomes lower, making it a potential probe to sense the hypoxic
environment. The present probe can also visualize the hypoxic environment
created by photodynamic therapy treatment.
Content
