Carbazole-Substituted Iridium Complex as a Solid State Emitter for Two-Photon Intravital Imaging

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Photophysics
• Bioimaging

Background:

• Tris-cyclometalated iridium complexes are explored for their photophysical properties.
• Carbazole functionalization can tune optical characteristics.
• Two-photon absorption is valuable for deep tissue imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel iridium complex with dual emission and two-photon absorption properties.
• To evaluate its suitability for intravital bioimaging applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a tris-cyclometalated iridium complex with peripheral carbazole groups.
• Characterization of photophysical properties, including solid-state emission and two-photon absorption cross-section.
• Incorporation into a physiological micellar suspension for bioimaging.

Main Results:

• The iridium complex exhibits intense solid-state emission.
• It possesses a significant two-photon absorption cross-section in the near-infrared region.
• Successful application in intravital two-photon fluorescence microscopy of cerebral vasculature.

Conclusions:

• The developed iridium complex is a promising photoluminescent material for near-infrared imaging.
• Its properties are suitable for high-resolution, in vivo visualization of biological structures like cerebral vasculature.