Synthesis and Electrochemical, Photophysical, and Self-Assembly Studies on Water-Soluble pH-Responsive Alkynylplatinum(II) Terpyridine Complexes

Aqua-friendly organometallic Ir-Pt complexes: pH-responsive AIPE-guided imaging of bacterial cells

In this work, the aggregation-induced photoluminescence emission (AIPE) of three water-soluble heterobimetallic Ir-Pt complexes was reported with insight into their photophysical and electrochemical properties and imaging of bacterial cells. An alkyne appended Schiff's base L, bridges bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) and platinum(II) terpyridine centre. The Schiff's base (N-N fragment) serves as the ancillary ligand to the iridium(III) centre, while the alkynyl end is coordinated to platinum(II). The pH and ionic strength influence the aggregation kinetics of the alkynylplatinum(II) fragment, leading to metal-metal and π-π interactions with the emergence of a triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³MMLCT) emission. The excellent reversibility and photostability of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of these aqua-friendly complexes were tested for their ability to sense and selectively image E. coli cells at various pH values.

Luminescent and Photofunctional Transition Metal Complexes: From Molecular Design to Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

There has been emerging interest in the exploitation of the photophysical and photochemical properties of transition metal complexes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this Perspective, we highlight the major recent advances in the development of luminescent and photofunctional transition metal complexes, in particular, those of rhenium(I), ruthenium(II), osmium(II), iridium(III), and platinum(II), as bioimaging reagents and phototherapeutic agents, with a focus on the molecular design strategies that harness and modulate the interesting photophysical and photochemical behavior of the complexes. We also discuss the current challenges and future outlook of transition metal complexes for both fundamental research and clinical applications.

Tuning of photo-redox behaviours and thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of intercomponent energy transfer in trimetallic complexes of Ru(II) and Os(II) by exploiting their second coordination sphere

This paper deals with a thorough investigation of pH-induced tuning of the ground and excited state photophysical as well as electrochemical behaviours of two series of our recently reported homo- and heterotrimetallic complexes of the type [(bpy)₂Ru(d-HIm-t)M(t-HIm-d)Ru(bpy)₂]⁶⁺ and [(bpy)₂Os(d-HIm-t)M(t-HIm-d)Os(bpy)₂]⁶⁺ (M = Ru^II and Os^II) derived from a heteroditopic bpy-tpy (d-HIm-t) type bridging ligand through the exploitation of their second coordination sphere. A small bathochromic shift of the absorption and emission spectral band along with substantial alteration of emission intensity and lifetime of the triads is noted upon deprotonation of the NH motifs at elevated pH values. The lowering of the half wave potential of a M³⁺/M²⁺ couple is also observed upon removal of the NH protons. Both ground and excited state pK_a values of the triads are estimated from their absorption/emission versus pH spectral profiles. In addition, the variation of the free energy change (ΔG) and the rate of intercomponent energy transfer (k_en) in the triads upon stepwise deprotonation of the NH motifs are also addressed in the present study.

Aggregation and Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Low-Energy Red Luminescent Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes for RNA Detection, Nucleolus Imaging, and RNA Synthesis Inhibitor Screening

As an important nuclear substructure, the nucleolus has received increasing attention because of its significant functions in the transcription and processing of ribosomal RNA in eukaryotic cells. In this work, we introduce a proof-of-concept luminescence assay to detect RNA and to accomplish nucleolus imaging with the use of the supramolecular self-assembly of platinum(II) complexes. Noncovalent interactions between platinum(II) complexes and RNA can be induced by the introduction of a guanidinium group into the complexes, and accordingly, a high RNA affinity can be achieved. Interestingly, the aggregation affinities of platinum(II) complexes enable them to display remarkable luminescence turn-on upon RNA binding, which is a result of the strengthening of noncovalent Pt(II)···Pt(II) and π-π stacking interactions. The complexes exhibit not only intriguing spectroscopic changes and luminescence enhancement after RNA binding but also specific nucleolus imaging in cells. As compared to fluorescent dyes, the low-energy red luminescence and large Stokes shifts of platinum(II) complexes afford a high signal-to-background autofluorescence ratio in nucleolus imaging. Additional properties, including long phosphorescence lifetimes and low cytotoxicity, have endowed the platinum(II) complexes with the potential for biological applications. Also, platinum(II) complexes have been adopted to monitor the dynamics of the nucleolus induced by the addition of RNA synthesis inhibitors. This capability allows the screening of inhibitors and can be advantageous for the development of antineoplastic agents. This work provides a novel strategy for exploring the application of platinum(II) complex-based cell imaging agents based on the mechanism of supramolecular self-assembly. It is envisaged that platinum(II) complexes can be utilized as valuable probes because of the aforementioned appealing advantages.

Stimuli-Responsive Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Polymers Based on Trinuclear Platinum(II) Scaffolds: Reversible Modulation of Photoluminescence, Cavity Size, and Water Permeability

Here we report the first two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular polymer, which has varying structure and function arising from the perturbation of noncovalent metal···metal interactions in response to acid-base stimuli. This 2D assembly possesses a positively charged, honeycomb-like nanostructure consisting of trinuclear alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine complexes appended with acid-sensitive dimethylamino groups. Upon addition of acids and bases, reversible switching mediated by protonation and deprotonation of dimethylamino and dimethylammonium moieties intrinsically alters the positive charge density of the constituent cationic units, which causes interior cavities to adaptively adjust their size, accompanied by drastic photoluminescence changes. When water molecules pass through the membranes obtained from 2D supramolecular polymers, the permeating flux can also be tuned by the pH values of the buffer media. This work paves the way toward supramolecularly engineered 2D smart materials with stimuli-responsive properties.

pH-Sensitive Near-IR Emitting Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex for Recognition, Two-Photon Luminescent Imaging, and Subcellular Localization of Cancer Cells

A dinuclear Ru(II) complex of [(bpy)₂Ru(Hdip)Ru(H₂bip)](ClO₄)₄ {bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, Hdip is 2-(2,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)-pyridin-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]-[1,10]phenanthroline, and H₂bip is 2,6-bis(imidazole-2-yl)-pyridine} was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Spectrophotometric pH titrations in aqueous buffer and in vitro cell experiments indicated the response ability of the complex to pH fluctuations in the physiological pH range (6.0-8.0). The complex was found to be capable of differentiating live HeLa cells from healthy HEK293 cells by selectively accumulating in lysosomes of the HeLa cells. The low cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 100 μM), a large Stokes shift (∼200 nm), strong near-IR emission at ∼700 nm, a relatively long excited state lifetime, high photostability, and solubility make this complex considerably promising in real-time tracking and visualization of lysosomes in live cells. More interestingly, the tumor cell-specific two-photon luminescent imaging properties also endow this Ru complex with potential for applications in high-resolution tumor imaging and luminescence-guided tumor resection.

Self-assembly of imidazolium/benzimidazolium cationic receptors: their environmental and biological applications

This review highlights the applications of imidazolium based cationic receptors for sensing of biomolecules and catalysis.

Double-layered honeycomb architectures constructed via hierarchical self-assembly of hexagonal spin crossover cobalt(ii) metallacycles

Lipid packaged cobalt(ii) metallacycles displayed the formation of double-layered honeycomb architectures exhibiting spin crossover behavior.

Amyloid Protein-Induced Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Water-Soluble Platinum(II) Complexes: A Luminescence Assay for Amyloid Fibrillation Detection and Inhibitor Screening

Amyloid fibrillation has been acknowledged as a hallmark of a number of neurodegenerative ailments such as Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, efficient detection of amyloid fibrillation will allow for great advances in the field of biomedical applications as well as in achieving early medical diagnosis. In this work, a luminescence assay for the sensitive and specific detection of amyloid fibrillation was developed by using platinum(II) complexes as sensing platforms. Supramolecular self-assembly of platinum(II) complexes was induced upon addition of amyloid, leading to alterations in the spectroscopic and luminescence properties of the complexes. As compared to fluorescent dyes, luminescent platinum(II) complexes exhibit attractive large Stokes shifts, phosphorescence lifetimes in the microsecond to submicrosecond regime, and low-energy red emission after aggregation, which are advantageous to biological imaging. At the same time, the platinum(II) complex adopted herein was found to have high photostability, high selectivity and specificity, and low cytotoxicity. The proposed design is the very first approach to detect amyloid fibrillation through the supramolecular self-assembly of luminescent platinum(II) complexes.

Photoisomerization of PtII Complexes Containing Two Different Photochromic Chromophores: Boron Chromophore versus Dithienylethene Chromophore

In order to examine competitive photoisomerization, a series of novel photochromic Pt^II molecules that contain both dithienylethene (DTE) and B(ppy)Mes₂ units (ppy=2-phenylpyridine, Mes=mesityl) were successfully synthesized and fully structurally characterized. Their photochromic properties were examined by UV/Vis, emission and NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the DTE unit in all three compounds is the preferred photoisomerization site, exhibiting reversible photochromism with irradiation. The B(ppy)Mes₂ unit does not undergo photoisomerization in these molecules, but likely enhances the photoisomerization quantum efficiency of the DTE moiety through the antenna effect. Extended irradiation with UV light leads to the rearrangement of the ring-closed isomers of DTE. TD-DFT computational studies indicate that the DTE photocyclization proceeds via a triplet pathway through an efficient energy transfer process.

Glucose-Appended Platinum(II)-BODIPY Conjugates for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy in Red Light

Platinum(II) complexes [Pt(L¹)(R-BODIPY)]Cl (1) and [Pt(L²)(R-BODIPY)]Cl (2), where R-BODIPY is 8-(4-ethynylphenyl)-distyryl-4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3, L¹ is 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine, and L² is (2,2':6',2″-terpyridin-4'-oxy)ethyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, were synthesized and characterized, and their photocytotoxicity was studied. The phenylacetylide complex [Pt(L¹)(C≡CPh)]Cl (3) was prepared and used as a control. Complexes 1 and 2 showed near-IR absorption bands at 713 nm (ε = 3.47 × 10⁴ M^-1 cm^-1) and 715 nm (3.2 × 10⁴ M^-1 cm^-1) in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) (pH 7.2). The BODIPY complexes are emissive in 10% DMSO-DMEM at pH 7.2 with λ_em (λ_ex, Φ_f) = 822 nm (710 nm, 0.022) for complex 1 and λ_em (λ_ex, Φ_f) = 825 nm (710 nm, 0.026) for complex 2. They generated singlet oxygen (¹O₂) in red light as evidenced from 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) titration experiments. The singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) values for 1 and 2 were ∼0.6 signifying their photosensitizing ability. They were remarkably photodynamic therapy (PDT) active in red light showing significant red light-induced cytotoxicity in cervical HeLa, lung cancer A549, and breast cancer MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀: 2.3-24.7 μM in light) with negligible dark toxicity (IC₅₀ > 100 μM). A significant enhancement in cellular uptake was observed for 2 having glucose-appended terpyridine ligand compared to 1. The confocal microscopy showed significant mitochondrial localization of the complexes as evidenced from the JC-1 assay. The complexes released the photoactive R-BODIPY ligand upon red light-irradiation as evidenced from the mass and ¹H NMR spectral studies. Complex 2 is remarkable in satisfying the essential requirements of targeted PDT in red light.

Supramolecular Assembly of Phosphole Oxide Based Alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6-Bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine Complexes-An Interplay of Hydrophobicity and Aromatic π-Surfaces

A new class of phosphole oxide based alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6-bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine (bzimpy) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Their self-assembly was driven by hydrophobic-hydrophobic and π-π stacking interactions. The self-assembly properties were also investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, which revealed that the alkyl-chain length of the bzimpy moiety and the π-surface area of the alkynyl ligand have significant influence on the overall self-assembly process. The alkyl-chain length also affected the morphological structures of the aggregates, which were studied by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Aggregation-induced near-infrared emitting platinum(ii) terpyridyl complex: cellular characterisation and lysosome-specific localisation

An aggregation-induced near-infrared emitting terpyridyl Pt(ii) complex with excellent biocompatibility shows high specificity to lysosomes in HeLa cells.

Anion-dependent thermo-responsive supramolecular superstructures of Cu(ii) macrocycles

A heteroditopic ligand predominantly self-assembled into a dinuclear Cu(ii) macrocycle with various Cu²⁺ salts. However, each macrocycle is further hierarchically assembled to distinct supramolecular superstructures, where the shape of the morphology is found to be highly dependent on the counter-anions and temperature.

Molecular Engineering of Platinum(II) Terpyridine Complexes with Tetraphenylethylene-Modified Alkynyl Ligands: Supramolecular Assembly via Pt···Pt and/or π-π Stacking Interactions and the Formation of Various Superstructures

A series of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes with tetraphenylethylene-modified alkynyl ligands has been designed and synthesized. The introduction of the tetraphenylethylene motif has led to aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which upon self-assembly led to the formation of metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) behavior stabilized by Pt···Pt and/or π-π interactions. Tuning the steric bulk or hydrophilicity through molecular engineering of the platinum(II) complexes has been found to alter their spectroscopic properties and result in interesting superstructures (including nanorods, nanospheres, nanowires, and nanoleaves) in the self-assembly process. The eye-catching color and emission changes upon varying the solvent compositions may have potential applications in chemosensing materials for the detection of microenvironment changes. Furthermore, the importance of the directional Pt···Pt and/or π-π interactions on the construction of distinctive superstructures has also been examined by UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. This work represents the interplay of both inter- and intramolecular interactions as well as the energies of the two different chromophoric/luminophoric systems that may open up a new route for the development of platinum(II)-AIE hybrids as functional materials.

Molecular Assemblies and Spin-Crossover Behaviour of Cobalt(ɪɪ) Complexes with Terpyridine Incorporating Different Nitrogen Positions in Pyridine Rings

Cobalt(ii) complexes with terpyridine-type ligands, [Co(n-pyterpy)2](ClO4)2 (n = 3 (1), 4 (2)), were prepared and characterised. Different positions of the nitrogen atom in the terpyridine ligands influenced their assembly properties in the crystal structures. Complex 1 showed a 2D network structure consisting of 1D chains connected by intermolecular N⋯HC interactions. On the other hand, complex 2 consisted of two different cobalt ion sites (Co1 and Co2) with slightly different coordination environments. Complex 2 showed 1D chains with no interchain interactions. Such differences are discussed with the cooperativities estimated by their spin crossover behaviours.