Visible-light sensitized luminescent europium(III)-β-diketonate complexes: bioprobes for cellular imaging

Dalton Trans. 2013 Nov 21;42(43):15249-62. doi: 10.1039/c3dt52238e.

Abstract

Visible-light sensitized luminescent europium(III) molecular materials are of considerable importance because their outstanding photophysical properties make them well suited as labels in fluorescence-based bioassays and low-voltage driven pure red-emitters in optoelectronic technology. One challenge in this field is development of visible-light sensitizing ligands that can form highly emissive europium(III) complexes with sufficient stability and aqueous solubility for practical applications. Indeed, some of the recent reports have demonstrated that the excitation-window can be shifted to longer-wavelengths in europium(III)-β-diketonate complexes by appropriate molecular engineering and suitably expanded π-conjugation in the complex molecules. In this review, attention is focused on the latest innovations in the syntheses and photophysical properties of visible-light sensitized europium(III)-β-diketonate complexes and their application as bioprobes for cellular imaging. Furthermore, luminescent nanomaterials derived from long-wavelength sensitized europium(III)-β-diketonate complexes and their application in life sciences are also highlighted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Coordination Complexes / metabolism
  • Europium / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Ketones / chemistry*
  • Light*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Myoblasts / cytology
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry

Substances

  • Coordination Complexes
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Ketones
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Europium