Toward clinically viable fluorescent MOFs: Green synthesis and emerging bioimaging applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as highly versatile platforms in materials science, owing to their permanent porosity, tunable architectures, and exceptional optical properties. Despite their proven efficacy in chemical sensing and drug delivery, the successful transition of fluorescent MOFs from the laboratory bench to clinical settings remain hindered by toxicity and sustainability concerns associated with traditional high-energy, solvent-intensive synthetic routes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent paradigm shift toward eco-friendly synthetic methodologies. We critically evaluate the advancements in microwave-assisted, sonochemical, mechanochemical, and electrochemical techniques, highlighting their ability to offer accelerated reaction times, enhanced product purity, and scalable production with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, we explore the integration of these "green" synthesized MOFs into advanced in vitro and in vivo fluorescent bioimaging applications. Through the analysis of emerging platforms, such as targeted nanoprobes, two-photon excitable sensors, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, this review highlights how structural modularity and signal stabilization overcome current imaging limitations.