Multimodal Imaging Iridium(III) Complex for Hypochlorous Acid in Living Systems

Area of Science:

• Chemical Biology
• Bioimaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Biomolecule tracing is crucial for understanding biological processes.
• Developing single probes for multiple imaging modalities remains a challenge due to differing probe design principles.
• Oxime groups have been used for fluorescence imaging of hypochlorous acid (HOCl).

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel iridium(III) complex for multimodal imaging of HOCl.
• To investigate the probe's capability for chemiluminescence, two-photon luminescence, and photoluminescence lifetime imaging.
• To elucidate the chemiluminescence mechanism of the probe for HOCl detection.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of an oxime-decorated iridium(III) complex (Ir-CLFLPLIM).
• Application of the complex for chemiluminescence (CL), two-photon luminescence (TPL), and photoluminescence lifetime imaging (PLIM).
• Mechanistic studies involving monitoring CL peak shapes, mass spectra, and calculating reaction energy.

Main Results:

• The developed iridium(III) complex, Ir-CLFLPLIM, successfully achieved multimodal imaging of HOCl.
• The probe demonstrated simultaneous CL, TPL, and PLIM capabilities in living systems.
• A novel chemiluminescence mechanism for HOCl was proposed and explored, including identification of reaction intermediates.

Conclusions:

• The oxime-decorated iridium(III) complex offers a versatile platform for multimodal bioimaging of HOCl.
• This work expands the application of transition metal complexes in chemiluminescence and multimodal probe development.
• The developed strategy facilitates the creation of advanced probes for complex biological analyses.