Geminal cross-coupling synthesis, ion-induced emission and lysosome imaging of cationic tetraarylethene oligoelectrolytes.

Neutral conjugated tetraarylethenes OFn (n = 1-3) and the corresponding cationic conjugated oligoelectrolytes OFn+ (n = 1-3) with aggregation-induced emission activity have been designed and synthesized using geminal cross-coupling. OFn+ (n = 1-3) feature ion-induced emission in aqueous solution. They are used for lysosomal fluorescence imaging and tracing of lysosome events.