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Updated: May 27, 2026

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Published on: June 4, 2020
Water-soluble mitochondria-specific ytterbium complex with impressive NIR emission
Tao Zhang1, Xunjin Zhu, Chopen C W Cheng
1Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
A novel water-soluble ytterbium complex (Yb-2) with rhodamine B exhibits mitochondria-specific localization and potent two-photon near-infrared (NIR) emissions. This advancement offers promising applications in bioimaging due to its high NIR emission quantum yield in aqueous solutions.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Developing novel luminescent probes for biological applications is crucial.
- Near-infrared (NIR) emitting probes offer advantages for deep tissue imaging.
- Mitochondria-targeted probes are valuable for studying cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a water-soluble porphyrinato ytterbium complex linked with rhodamine B (Yb-2).
- To investigate the subcellular localization and photophysical properties of the Yb-2 complex.
- To evaluate the potential of Yb-2 as a two-photon-induced NIR emitting probe for bioimaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of the Yb-2 complex.
- Confocal microscopy for subcellular localization studies.
- Spectroscopic measurements (absorption, emission, quantum yield) in aqueous solution and DMSO.
- Two-photon excitation spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- The Yb-2 complex demonstrated mitochondria-specific subcellular localization.
- Strong two-photon-induced NIR emissions were observed at 650 nm (porphyrinate ligand) and 1060 nm (Yb(III) transition).
- The complex exhibited an impressive Yb(III) NIR emission quantum yield of 1% and 2.5% in aqueous solution at different excitation wavelengths.
Conclusions:
- The Yb-2 complex is a water-soluble, mitochondria-targeting probe with efficient two-photon NIR emission.
- Its photophysical properties, including high quantum yield, make it suitable for advanced bioimaging applications.
- This study presents a promising new tool for in-depth cellular and tissue imaging.
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