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Examination of total emission and circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) spectra of three 9-coordinate Eu(iii) complexes with well-defined speciation shows that the ligand fields of these C3 symmetric complexes are extremely sensitive to solvent polarity, even when solvent is not present in the first coordination sphere. The energies, intensities, and (for CPL) the sign of some transitions vary with solvent polarity. These observations are rationalised by analysis of the factors that control total and circularly polarised emission, and have important implications for design of responsive luminescent Ln(iii) probes.

A set of four luminescent EuIII complexes bearing an extended aryl‐alkynylpyridine chromophore has been studied, showing very different pH‐dependent behaviour in their absorption and emission spectral response. For two complexes with pK a values of 6.45 and 6.20 in protein‐containing solution, the emission lifetime increases very significantly following protonation. By varying the gate time during signal acquisition, the ‘switch‐on’ intensity ratio could be optimised, and enhancement factors of between 250 to 1330 were measured between pH 8 and 4. The best‐behaved probe showed no significant emission dependence on the concentration of endogenous cations, reductants, and serum albumin. It was examined in live‐cell imaging studies to monitor time‐dependent lysosomal acidification, for which the increase in observed image brightness due to acidification was a factor of 50 in NIH‐3T3 cells., Watching lysosomes age with a ‘switch‐on’ optical sensor is shown to be possible by using four europium complexes with extended aryl‐alkylnyl pyridine antennae that show very different pH‐dependent behaviour. A ‘switch‐on’ of europium luminescence occurs at low pH, allowing confocal microscopy to reveal increases in image brightness of ageing lysosomes in live‐cell imaging studies.

Chirality is ubiquitous within biological systems where many of the roles and functions are still undetermined. Given this, there is a clear need to design and develop sensitive chiral optical probes that can function within a biological setting. Here we report the design and synthesis of magnetically responsive Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) complexes displaying exceptional photophysical properties (quantum yield up to 31 % and |glum| up to 0.240) by introducing chiral substituents onto the macrocyclic scaffolds. Magnetic CPL responses are observed in these chiral EuIII complexes, promoting an exciting development to the field of magneto‐optics. The |glum| of the 5D0 → 7F1 transition increases by 20 % from 0.222 (0 T) to 0.266 (1.4 T) displaying a linear relationship between the Δglum and the magnetic field strength. These EuIII complexes with magnetic CPL responses, provides potential development to be used in CPL imaging applications due to improved sensitivity and resolution., A series of chiral, water‐soluble, DO3A‐based EuIII complexes was designed and synthesized. The chiral substituents introduced onto the macrocyclic scaffolds enhanced the photophysical properties with quantum yields up to 31 % and |glum| up to 0.240. The |glum| value increased by 20 % from 0.222 to 0.267 under external magnetic field showing a linear response.

Multidrug resistance in pathogenic bacteria is an increasing problem in patient care and public health. Molecular nanomachines (MNMs) have the ability to open cell membranes using nanomechanical action. We hypothesized that MNMs could be used as antibacterial agents by drilling into bacterial cell walls and increasing susceptibility of drug-resistant bacteria to recently ineffective antibiotics. We exposed extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to light-activated MNMs and found that MNMs increase the susceptibility to Meropenem. MNMs with Meropenem can effectively kill K. pneumoniae that are considered Meropenem-resistant. We examined the mechanisms of MNM action using permeability assays and transmission electron microscopy, finding that MNMs disrupt the cell wall of extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae, exposing the bacteria to Meropenem. These observations suggest that MNMs could be used to make conventional antibiotics more efficacious against multi-drug-resistant pathogens.

The syntheses and photophysical behaviour of nine, strongly luminescent nonadentate Eu(III) complexes are reported. Each complex is based on N-functionalised 1,4,7- triazacyclononane, and linkage to other groups or targeting vectors can occur either via amide bond formation to a coordinated pyridine p-aminopropyl group or via a nucleophilic substitution reaction involving thiol attack on a metal coordinated p-nitropyridyl moiety. Evidence is presented in favour of the latter conjugation strategy, as parallel work with maleimide conjugates was complicated or compromised by the propensity to undergo postconjugation thiol exchange or succinimide ring hydrolysis reactions. Confocal microscopy and spectral imaging studies revealed that the peptide conjugate of AcCFFKDEL was found to localise selectively in the endoplasmic reticulum of mouse fibroblast cells, whereas the related maleimide conjugate was only observed in cellular lysosomes

One-step cyclization of a tetraazamacrocycle 5 with 70% yield in a 25-g scale was performed. Its chiral DOTA derivatives, L4, has ∼93% of TSAP coordination isomer in its Eu(III) and Yb(III) complexes in aqueous solution. [GdL4]5– exhibits a high relaxivity, making it a promising and efficient MRI contrast agent. High luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) values of 0.285 (ΔJ = 1) for [TbL3]– and 0.241 (ΔJ = 1) for [TbL4]5– in buffer solutions were recorded.

The histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes have emerged as an important class of molecular targets in cancer therapy, with five inhibitors in clinical use. Recently, it has been shown that a lack of selectivity between the 11 Zn-dependent HDAC isoforms may lead to unwanted side-effects. In this paper, we show that piano stool Ru complexes can act as HDAC inhibitors, and variation in the capping arene leads to differences in HDAC isoform selectivity.

Light-activated molecular nanomachines (MNMs) can be used to drill holes into prokaryotic (bacterial) cell walls and the membrane of eukaryotic cells, including mammalian cancer cells, by their fast rotational movement, leading to cell death. We examined how these MNMs function in multicellular organisms and investigated their use for treatment and eradication of specific diseases by causing damage to certain tissues and small organisms. Three model eukaryotic species, Caenorhabditis elegans, Daphnia pulex, and Mus musculus (mouse), were evaluated. These organisms were exposed to light-activated fast-rotating MNMs and their physiological and pathological changes were studied in detail. Slow rotating MNMs were used to control for the effects of rotation rate. We demonstrate that fast-rotating MNMs caused depigmentation and 70% mortality in C. elegans while reducing the movement as well as heart rate and causing tissue damage in Daphnia. Topically applied light-activated MNMs on mouse skin caused ulceration and microlesions in the epithelial tissue, allowing MNMs to localize into deeper epidermal tissue. Overall, this study shows that the nanomechanical action of light-activated MNMs is effective against multicellular organisms, disrupting cell membranes and damaging tissue in vivo. Customized MNMs that target specific tissues for therapy combined with spatial and temporal control could have broad clinical applications in a variety of benign and malignant disease states including treatment of cancer, parasites, bacteria, and diseased tissues., Graphical Abstract

The selective mitochondrial localisation of the Λ enantiomer of three different emissive europium(III) complexes in NIH 3T3 and MCF7 cells contrasts with the behaviour of the Δ enantiomer, for which a predominant lysosomal localisation was observed by confocal microscopy. In each case, cell uptake occurs via macropinocytosis.

A series of four emissive europium complexes has been evaluated for the binding of glyphosate in various aqueous media, including river water and grain extracts. Binding selectivity toward inorganic phosphate and bicarbonate was enhanced by measuring samples at pH 5.9, above the pKa of glyphosate itself. The highest affinity was shown with [Eu·L1], which creates an exocyclic tripicolylamine moiety when one pyridine group dissociates from Eu. Glyphosate was bound selectively over dihydrogenphosphate, glycinate, aminomethylphosphonate and the related herbicide glufosinate. The complex was used to measure glyphosate over the range 5 to 50 μM, in river water and grain extracts.

Recently, synthetic molecular nanomachines (MNMs) that rotate unidirectionally in response to UV light excitation have been used to produce nanomechanical action on live cells to kill them through the drilling of holes in their cell membranes. In the work here, visible-light-absorbing MNMs are designed and synthesized to enable nanomechanical activation by 405 nm light, thereby using a wavelength of light that is less phototoxic than the previously employed UV wavelengths. Visible-light-absorbing MNMs that kill pancreatic cancer cells upon response to light activation are demonstrated. Evidence is presented to support the conclusion that MNMs do not kill cancer cells by the photothermal effect when used at low optical density. In addition, MNMs suppress the formation of reactive oxygen species, leaving nanomechanical action as the most plausible working mechanism for cell killing under the experimental conditions.

Bright lanthanide based probes for optical bioimaging must rely on the antenna principle, where the lanthanide-centred excited state is formed by a complex sensitization process. Efficient sensitization of lanthanide-centred emission occurs via triplet states centred on the sensitizing chromophore. Here, the triplet state of thioxanthone chromophores is modulated by extending the π-system. Three thioxanthone chromophores-thioxanthone, benzo[c]thioxanthone, and naphtho[2,3-c]thioxanthone were synthesised and characterised. The triplet state energies and lifetimes is found to change as expected, and two dyes are found to be suitable sensitizers for europium(iii) luminescence. Reactive derivatives of thioxanthone and benzo[c]thioxanthone were prepared and coupled to a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) lanthanide binding pocket. The photophysics and the performance in optical bioimaging of the resulting europium(iii) complexes were investigated. It is concluded that while the energetics favour efficient sensitization, the solution structure does not. While it was found that the complexes are too lipophilic to be efficient luminescent probes for optical bioimaging, we successfully demonstrated bioimaging using europium(iii) luminescence following 405 nm excitation.

The enantiomers of [EuL3]·3Cl, an analogue of Eu:BPEPC with a lowered energy excitation wavelength, serve as effective reference complexes for the calibration of circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) spectrometers.

A novel tris-cyclometalated iridium complex (1) containing a single quarternary ammonium moiety has been synthesized, characterized, and investigated as a potential cellular imaging probe. The complex is the next generation of the aminoalkyl iridium complexes recently published by our group. The complex possesses outstanding photophysical properties. The complex is stable in solution in dark but exhibits rapid photocatalyzed transformations. Investigations of this behavior have shown that these transformations involve the formation of an electrophilic species, which can be captured by a suitable nucleophile, leading to the formation of new product. The complex has also been investigated as a potential cellular stain. It is less cytotoxic than its aminoalkyl predecessor and shows lysosomal localization as its precursor.

Using two-photon excitation (2PE), molecular nanomachines (MNMs) are able to drill through cell membranes and kill the cells. This avoids the use of the more damaging ultraviolet (UV) light that has been used formerly to induce this nanomechanical cell-killing effect. Since 2PE is inherently confocal, enormous precision can be realized. The MNMs can be targeted to specific cell surfaces through peptide addends. Further, the efficacy was verified through controlled opening of synthetic bilayer vesicles using the 2PE excitation of MNM that had been trapped within the vesicles.

Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP) is an important blood plasma glycoprotein. Following an acute-phase reaction such as stress, inflammation, burn, or infection, the bloodstream concentration of α1-AGP can increase up to 400 % of its normal concentration. A wide range of drugs is known to bind α1-AGP. Increased binding of pharmacologically active compounds to α1-AGP moderates their clinical effect by decreasing the amount of unbound drug in the bloodstream. This has important clinical ramifications for such applications as the duration of anesthesia and in determining dosage for drug therapy. In this study, the competitive binding to α1-AGP of a dynamically racemic europium(III) complex with seven pharmacologically active drugs absorbing in the range λ 250–290 nm was monitored by following changes in europium total emission and in induced circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Binding affinities corresponding to Kd values in the range 0.5–100 μm were measured, in good agreement with published data.

Herein we report the synthesis and investigation of two novel tris-cyclometalated iridium complexes derived from [Ir(ppy)3] and bearing an aminoalkyl substituent on one of the 2-phenylpyridine ligands. These complexes differ in the number of the alkyl substituents of the aminoalkyl group. Specifically, the complexes reported herein contain one (1) and two (2) 2-hydroxy ethyl groups on the nitrogen atom. Both complexes retain the good photophysical properties reported for earlier versions of this group of tris-cyclometalated iridium complexes. However, the differences in the substitution result in changes in the responsive photoluminescence behavior in aqueous solutions. Live cell microscopy experiments revealed that the complexes can localize in NIH-3T3 cells. Finally, it has been observed that the complex containing two 2-hydroxy ethyl groups is less cytotoxic than the its mono-substituted counterpart.

An in-depth study of the interaction of a trinuclear terbium(III)-dizinc(II) complex with an array of nucleotides differing in the type of nucleobase and number of phosphate groups, as well as cyclic versus acyclic variants, is presented. The study examined the nature of the interaction and the efficiency at which guanine was able to sensitize terbium(III) luminescence. Competitive binding and titration studies were performed to help establish the nature/mode of the interactions. These established that (1) interaction occurs by the coordination of phosphate groups to zinc(II) (in addition to uridine in the case of uridine monophosphate), (2) acyclic nucleotides bind more strongly than cyclic counterparts because of their higher negative charge, (3) guanine-containing nucleotides are able to sensitize terbium(III) luminescence with the efficiency of sensitization following the order guanosine monophosphate (GMP) > guanosine diphosphate > guanosine triphosphate because of the mode of binding, and (4) nucleoside monophosphates bind to a single zinc(II) ion, whereas di- and triphosphates appear to bind in a bridging mode between two host molecules. Furthermore, it has been shown that guanine is a sensitizer of terbium(III) luminescence. On the basis of the ability of GMP to effectively sensitize terbium(III)-based luminescence while cyclic GMP (cGMP) does not, the complex has been utilized to monitor the catalytic conversion of cGMP to GMP by a phosphodiesterase enzyme in real time using time-gated luminescence on a benchtop fluorimeter. The complex has the potential to find broad application in monitoring the activity of enzymes that process nucleotides (co)substrates, including high-throughput drug-screening programs.

Improving the spatial alignment of emitting molecules has long been a goal of organic-light-emitting-diode development to improve device efficiencies and to generate polarized emission. Herein we describe a simple approach employing Sonogashira coupling with alkyne iridium(phenylpyridine)2(acetylacetone) synthons (2-5) to generate eight linear iridium complexes (6-13) with crystallographically determined lengths of up to 5 nm. By embedding these "long" complexes into a polymer matrix and stretching it, an improvement of the polarization ratio of unstretched and stretched films of up to 7.1 times was achieved. Additionally, through the inclusion of "twists" in the complexes, the electronic coupling between the iridium center and substituent was controlled, giving a system where the emission behavior is independent of the length.

Structured illumination microscopy is a super-resolution technique used extensively in biological research. However, this technique is limited in the maximum possible resolution increase. Here we report the results of simulations of a novel enhanced multi-spot structured illumination technique. This method combines the super-resolution technique of difference microscopy with structured illumination deconvolution. Initial results give at minimum a 1.4-fold increase in resolution over conventional structured illumination in a low-noise environment. This new technique also has the potential to be expanded to further enhance axial resolution with three-dimensional difference microscopy. The requirement for precise pattern determination in this technique also led to the development of a new pattern estimation algorithm which proved more efficient and reliable than other methods tested.

The ability to study cellular metabolism and enzymatic processes involving adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is impeded by the lack of imaging probes capable of signalling the concentration and distribution of intracellular ATP rapidly, with high sensitivity. We report here the first example of a luminescent lanthanide complex capable of visualizing changes in the concentration of ATP in the mitochondria of living cells. Four cationic europium(III) complexes [Eu.1–4]+ have been synthesized and their binding capabilities towards nucleoside polyphosphate anions examined in aqueous solution at physiological pH. Complexes [Eu.1]+ and [Eu.3]+ bearing hydrogen bond donor groups in the pendant arms showed excellent discrimination between ATP, ADP and monophosphate species. Complex [Eu.3]+ showed relatively strong binding to ATP (logK a=5.8), providing a rapid, long‐lived luminescent signal that enabled its detection in a highly competitive aqueous medium containing biologically relevant concentrations of Mg2+, ADP, GTP, UTP and human serum albumin. This EuIII complex responds linearly to ATP within the physiological concentration range (1–5 mm), and was used to continuously monitor the apyrase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of ATP to ADP in vitro. We demonstrate that [Eu.3]+ can permeate mammalian (NIH‐3T3) cells efficiently and localize to the mitochondria selectively, permitting real‐time visualization of elevated mitochondrial ATP levels following treatment with a broad spectrum kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, as well as depleted ATP levels upon treatment with potassium cyanide under glucose starvation conditions.

Herein we report the synthesis and investigation of the properties of two tris-cyclometalated luminescent iridium complexes. These complexes are the simple derivatives of fac-[Ir(ppy)3] bearing amino alkyl groups on one of the phenylpyridine rings. The complexes are highly emissive and exhibit structured emission peaks in aqueous solution while having only broad unstructured emission in organic solvents. The complexes have been shown to be taken up by NIH-3T3 and PC3 cells, where they localize in the lysosomes and remain emissive with lifetimes in the microsecond domain.

Predictable stereoselective formation of supramolecular assembly is generally believed to be an important but complicated process. Here, we show that point chirality of a ligand decisively influences its supramolecular assembly behavior. We designed three closely related chiral ligands with different point chiralities, and observe their self-assembly into europium (Eu) tetrametallic tetrahedral cages. One ligand exhibits a highly diastereoselective assembly into homochiral (either ΔΔΔΔ or ΛΛΛΛ) Eu tetrahedral cages whereas the two other ligands, with two different approaches of loosened point chirality, lead to a significant breakdown of the diastereoselectivity to generate a mixture of (ΔΔΔΔ and ΛΛΛΛ) isomers. The cages are highly emissive (luminescence quantum yields of 16(1) to 18(1)%) and exhibit impressive circularly polarized luminescence properties (|glum|: up to 0.16). With in-depth studies, we present an example that correlates the nonlinear enhancement of the chiroptical response to the nonlinearity dependence on point chirality.

A luminescent europium probe has been discovered that binds selectively to drug-site I in human serum albumin, signalled by a ‘switching on’ of europium emission, and accompanied by strong induced circularly polarised luminescence.

Chiral organic fluorophores have significant promise in the development of efficient emitters of circularly polarized light. Herein we describe a helically chiral boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) with a hitherto unreported N,N,O,C-boron-chelation motif, synthesised by means of a one-pot boron metathesis, nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), Suzuki coupling, boron chelation, cascade reaction. Resolution of the racemic BODIPY (by preparative HPLC on a chiral stationary phase) allowed examination of the chiroptical properties of the resulting enantiomers (λmax(abs)=593 nm, λmax(em)=622 nm, ϵ=30 000 m−1 cm−1, φF=0.49, |glum|=3.7×10−3 (hexane)). This is the first example of circularly polarised emission from a non-C2-symmetric helically chiral N,N,O,C-BODIPY and as such provides a valuable benchmark for future developments in this compound series.

Chiral image contrast is demonstrated using enantiopure Eu(III) complexes that emit right or left-handed circularly polarised light of opposite sign, at selected wavelengths.

Beyond the more common chemical delivery strategies, several physical techniques are used to open the lipid bilayers of cellular membranes. These include using electric and magnetic fields, temperature, ultrasound or light to introduce compounds into cells, to release molecular species from cells or to selectively induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) or uncontrolled cell death (necrosis). More recently, molecular motors and switches that can change their conformation in a controlled manner in response to external stimuli have been used to produce mechanical actions on tissue for biomedical applications. Here we show that molecular machines can drill through cellular bilayers using their molecular-scale actuation, specifically nanomechanical action. Upon physical adsorption of the molecular motors onto lipid bilayers and subsequent activation of the motors using ultraviolet light, holes are drilled in the cell membranes. We designed molecular motors and complementary experimental protocols that use nanomechanical action to induce the diffusion of chemical species out of synthetic vesicles, to enhance the diffusion of traceable molecular machines into and within live cells, to induce necrosis and to introduce chemical species into live cells. We also show that, by using molecular machines that bear short peptide addends, nanomechanical action can selectively target specific cell-surface recognition sites. Beyond the in vitro applications demonstrated here, we expect that molecular machines could also be used in vivo, especially as their design progresses to allow two-photon, near-infrared and radio-frequency activation.

High glum values of +0.30 (ΔJ = 1, 591 nm, in DMSO) and −0.23 (ΔJ = 1, 589 nm, in H2O) were recorded in our series of newly designed macrocyclic europium(III) complexes. A sterically locking approach involving a bidentate chromophore is adopted to control the formation of one stereoisomer, giving rise to extreme rigidity, high stability, and high emission intensity. The combination of a chiral substituent on a macrocyclic chelate for lanthanide ions opens up new perspectives for the further development of circulary polarized luminescent chiral tags in optical and bioapplications.

Two bright, europium(III) complexes based on an achiral heptadentate triazacyclononane ligand bearing two strongly absorbing chromophores have been evaluated for the selective emission and CPL signalling of various chiral O-phosphono-anions. Binding of O-phosphono-Ser and Thr gives rise to a strong induced CPL signature and a favoured Δ complex configuration is adopted. A similarly large induced CPL signal arises when [Eu·L1]2+ binds to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), where the strong binding (log K 5.25 (295 K)) in methanol allowed its detection over the range 5 to 40 μM. Strong and chemoselective binding to the phosphorylated amino-acid residues was also observed with a set of four structurally related hexapeptides: in one case, the sign of the gem value in the ΔJ = 1 transition allowed differentiation between the binding to O-P-Ser and O-P-Tyr residues.

A series of Eu and Tb complexes of four different chiral ligands incorporating an azaxanthone sensitiser has been evaluated as probes for the bicarbonate anion. Their binding affinities were assessed at ambient pH with bicarbonate, lactate, citrate, phosphate and serum albumin. Binding was signalled by modulation of circularly polarised luminescence and apparent affinity constants were measured by examining changes in emission intensity ratios. Competition experiments show that with these species and ATP present at normal physiological values, bicarbonate can be determined selectively over the concentration range 10 to 35 mM. Bicarbonate levels are also reported by using a mixture of Eu and Tb complexes of a common ligand, examining the ratio of red/green emitted light. These methods have been adapted for the determination of bicarbonate in human serum and used for the assessment of mitochondrial levels of bicarbonate in several different cell types with confocal microscopy.

Faraday discussions 191, 465 - 479(2016). doi:10.1039/C6FD00018E, We have developed a new class of lanthanide nano-clusters that self-assemble using flexible Schiff base ligands. Cd–Ln and Ni–Ln clusters, [Ln$_8$Cd$_{24}$(L$^1$)$_{12}$(OAc)$_{39}$Cl$_7$(OH)$_2$] (Ln = Nd, Eu), [Eu8Cd24(L1)12(OAc)44], [Ln$_8$Cd$_{24}$(L$^2$)$_{12}$(OAc)$_{44}$] (Ln = Nd, Yb, Sm) and [Nd$_2$Ni$_4$(L$^3$)$_2$(acac)$_6$(NO$_3$)$_2$(OH)$_2$], were constructed using different types of flexible Schiff base ligands. These molecular nano-clusters exhibit anisotropic architectures that differ considerably depending upon the presence of Cd (nano-drum) or Ni (square-like nano-cluster). Structural characterization of the self-assembled particles has been undertaken using crystallography, transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Comparison of the metric dimensions of the nano-drums shows a consistency of size using these techniques, suggesting that these molecules may share similar structural features in both solid and solution states. Photophysical properties were studied by excitation of the ligand-centered absorption bands in the solid state and in solution, and using confocal microscopy of microspheres loaded with the compounds. The emissive properties of these compounds vary depending upon the combination of lanthanide and Cd or Ni present in these clusters. The results provide new insights into the construction of novel high-nuclearity nano-clusters and offer a promising foundation for the development of new functional nanomaterials., Published by Royal Society of Chemistry , Cambridge [u.a.]

Four anionic europium complexes are described based on triazacyclononane tris-carboxylate or phosphinate ligands. In each case, the three sensitising chromophores comprise a substituted aryl-alkynyl pyridine group, with complex brightness in water falling in the range 4 to 23 mM(-1) cm(-1) . para-Substitution of the aryl ring with carboxymethyl groups gives complexes that are taken into cells, stain the lysosomes selectively and unexpectedly permit lifetime measurements of lysosomal pH. In contrast, the introduction of sulfonate groups inhibits cell uptake enabling the Eu complex to be used as an extracellular donor for FRET applications at the membrane surface. Using time-gated FRET microscopy, the cell membrane structure was highlighted, in which Cell Mask Deep Red was used as a membrane- localized FRET acceptor.

The development of the brightest luminescent europium(III) complexes is traced, including analysis of the C3-symmetric core complex based on a functionalized triazacyclononane and identification of the most suitable strongly absorbing chromophore. Strategies for the synthesis of the complexes, including enantiopure analogues, are outlined and opportunities for applications in time-resolved microscopy and spectral imaging emphasised. Practicable examples are introduced, including selective organelle staining for cellular optical imaging at 65 nm resolution and the development of new bioassays using time-resolved FRET methods.

The synthetic utility of europium complexes with three coordinated 4-bromopyridyl groups for chromophore elaboration has been assessed in palladium-catalysed Sonogashira coupling reactions, and in copper(i) mediated click reactions of the triazide derivative, generated in situ. The crystal structure of the Eu complex of a p-OMe-phenyl substituted triazole at 100 K is reported in which the pendant triazole sensitising moieties interdigitate in the solid-state lattice. The triazole complex can be separated into Δ and Λ enantiomers by chiral HPLC but is weakly emissive in methanol (ε 5.5 mM(-1) cm(-1); λexc 320 nm; ϕ 0.2%), contrasting with a set of four alkynyl-aryl derivatives which are one thousand times brighter and absorb strongly with broad absorption maxima in the range 332 to 360 nm. An enantiopure europium complex gives an intense CPL signal in solution that is the strongest yet reported.

A ratiometric Eu(III) complex has been developed that localises selectively within the endoplasmic reticulum of living cells. Careful calibration, using a time-gated spectral imaging microscope, allows the intensity ratio of emission bands and the variation of excited state lifetime to be used for pH determination, with a pKa of 7.15.

A series of five europium(III) complexes has been prepared from heptadentate N5O2 ligands that possess a brightness of more than 10 mM(-1) cm(-1) in water, following excitation over the range λ=330-355 nm. Binding of several oxy anions has been assessed by emission spectral titrimetric analysis, with the binding of simple carboxylates, lactate and citrate involving a common ligation mode following displacement of the coordinated water. Selectivity for bicarbonate allows the rapid determination of this anion in human serum, with K(d)=37 mM (295 K). The complexes are internalised quickly into mammalian cells and exhibit a mitochondrial localisation at early time points, migrating after a few hours to reveal a predominant lysosomal distribution. Herein, we report the synthesis and complexation behaviour of strongly emissive europium (III) complexes that bind oxy-anions in aqueous media with an affinity and selectivity profile that is distinctively different from previously studied systems.

The synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of a series of highly emissive europium complexes is reported. Certain complexes enter mammalian cells by macropinocytosis and stain the mitochondria selectively, allowing observation of the Eu emission in cellulo by time-gated spectral imaging.

Reversible anion binding at lanthanide centres in aqueous media has emerged as an effective means of signalling and sensing the presence of selected anions. The constitution and configuration of a wide range of anion adducts has been defined by X-ray analyses and NMR methods, and both chelating and monodentate binding modes characterised. Variation of the lanthanide ion modulates charge density, and ligand modification allows alteration of both the peripheral electrostatic gradient and the local steric demand at the metal centre. Thus, selectivity for a target anion can be engineered, and the affinity constant modulated to target the desired concentration range. Changes in anion concentration can be monitored rapidly, accurately and with high spatial resolution using optical emission spectroscopy and microscopy, facilitating the measurement of anions such as bicarbonate, lactate, citrate and urate in a variety of bio-fluids.

International audience; The lanthanide(III) complexes formed with the tri‐ and tetraacetate derivatives of bis(aminomethyl)phosphinic acid, L1 and L2, respectively, have been studied by pH potentiometry, spectrophotometry and 1H and 17O NMR spectroscopy. L1 forms [Ln(L1)]–, [Ln(L1)2]4–, protonated [Ln(HL1)] and Ln(H2L1)]+, and [Ln(L1)(OH)]2– hydroxido complexes. Heptadentate L2 forms [Ln(L2)]2– and protonated [Ln(HL2)]– and [Ln(H2L2)] complexes in solution and it shows a strong propensity to form [Ln2(L2)]+ dinuclear complexes, which has not been observed previously. The stability constants (log KLnL) of the complexes increase in the order [Ln(L1)]– < [Ln(L2)]2– following the order of increasing number of acetate pendants attached to the bis(aminomethyl)phosphinic acid (BAP) backbone. Within the LnIII series, the log KLnL values increase from La3+ to Gd3+ and remain practically constant for the heavier lanthanides. Despite the lower basicity, the ligands that contain a phosphinate group generally form similar (L1) or more stable (L2) Ln3+ complexes than the structurally similar N‐benzylethylenediamine‐N,N′,N′‐triacetic acid (L3) and propylenediamine‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid (L4), respectively. This indicates that the hard phosphinate group may be coordinated to the Ln3+ ions in the complexes, whereas the larger negative charge of the BAP derivatives may also have an extra stabilizing effect. The kinetic inertness of [Ln(L1)] and [Ln(L2)] is lower than that of similar [Ln(EDTA)]– (EDTA = ethylenediamine‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid), but the rate constants that characterize the dissociation of [Ln(L2)]2– are at least two orders of magnitude lower than those obtained for [Ln(L4)]–. Variable‐temperature 17O transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates and NMR spectroscopic chemical shifts have been measured to assess the water exchange and rotational dynamics of [Gd(L2)]. The chemical shifts evidenced monohydration of the complex. The water exchange rate, kex298 = (2.7 ± 0.4) × 107 s–1 is about ten times higher than that of [Ln(DTPA)]2– (DTPA = diethylenetriamine‐N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentaacetic acid). The rotational correlation time, τRO298 = 270 ± 30 ps, is long considering the small size of the chelate, which points to aggregation in aqueous solution, in accordance with the high value of the proton relaxivity measured.

Image and spectral intensity from bicarbonate-selective europium(III) probes localised in the mitochondria of cells is modulated reversibly by variation of external pCO(2), and is suppressed by addition of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolomide.

Mono-C-substitution of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ring induces formation of single enantiomers of Eu(III) complexes with nonadentate N6O3 ligands. The absolute configuration of each complex is determined by the stereogenicity of the C-substituent, revealed by comparison of the sign and sequence of CPL transitions for a series of complexes.

Europium and terbium complexes of two structurally related ligands have been evaluated as optical probes to monitor changes in lysosomal pH; calibration using ionophores and fluorescent probes allows monitoring of the time dependence of lysosomal pH change, examining the green/red intensity ratio from internalised Tb-Eu complexes.