A water-soluble and highly phosphorescent cyclometallated iridium complex with versatile sensing capability

Publication date: 1 May 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 166
Author(s): Zhen Yang, Yuan Zhao, Chan Wang, Qijun Song, Qingfeng Pang
A water-soluble and highly phosphorescent cyclometallated iridium complex [(pq)2Ir(bpy-COOK)]⁺Cl^- (where pq=2-phenylquinoline, bpy-COOK= potassium 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylate) (Ir) has been synthesized and characterized. Its phosphorescence can be sensitively and selectively quenched by tryptophan through a photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) process. Furthermore, the phosphorescence of Ir is drastically increased upon binding with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the enhanced signal is effectively quenched in the presence of Cu²⁺. Thus, Ir can be used as a multifunctional chemosensor for tryptophan, BSA, and Cu²⁺ determination as well as for cell imaging.

Graphical abstract

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