Zero-Background Small-Molecule Sensors for Near-IR Fluorescent Imaging of Biomacromolecular Targets in Cells.

In this study, we report a general approach to the design of a new generation of small-molecule sensors that produce a zero background but are brightly fluorescent in the near-IR spectral range upon selective interaction with a biomolecular target. We developed a fluorescence turn-on/-off mechanism based on the aggregation/deaggregation of phthalocyanine chromophores. As a proof of concept, we designed, prepared, and characterized sensors for in-cell visualization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase.

Pyrene-Benzimidazole Derivatives as Novel Blue Emitters for OLEDs.

Three novel small organic heterocyclic compounds: 2-(1,2-diphenyl)-1-benzimidazole-7--butylpyrene (compound ), 1,3-di(1,2-diphenyl)-1-benzimidazole-7--butylpyrene (compound ), and 1,3,6,8-tetra(1,2-diphenyl)-1-benzimidazolepyrene (compound ) were synthesized and characterized for possible applications as blue OLED emitters. The specific molecular design targeted decreasing intermolecular aggregation and disrupting crystallinity in the solid-state, in order to reduce dye aggregation, and thus obtain efficient pure blue photo- and electroluminescence. Accordingly, the new compounds displayed reasonably high spectral purity in both solution- and solid-states with average CIE coordinates of (0.

Rational design of guiding elements to control folding topology in i-motifs with multiple quadruplexes.

Nucleic acids are versatile scaffolds that accommodate a wide range of precisely defined operational characteristics. Rational design of sensing, molecular computing, nanotechnology, and other nucleic acid devices requires precise control over folding conformations in these macromolecules. Here, we report a new approach that empowers well-defined conformational transitions in DNA molecular devices.