Molecular Programming of NIR‐IIb‐Emissive Semiconducting Small Molecules for In Vivo High‐Contrast Bioimaging Beyond 1500 nm
Yi Yuan, Zhe Feng, Shengliang Li, Zhongming Huang, Yingpeng Wan, Chen Cao, Sien Lin, Lan Wu, Jing Zhou, Liang‐Sheng Liao, Jun Qian, Chun‐Sing Lee
Abstract
Materials with long-wavelength second near-infrared (NIR-II) emission are highly desired for in vivo dynamic visualizating of microstructures in deep tissues. Herein, by employing an atom-programming strategy, a series of highly fluorescent semiconducting oligomers (SOMs) with tunable NIR-IIb emissions are developed for bioimaging applications. After self-assembly into nanoparticles (NPs), they show good brightness, high photostability, and satisfactory biocompatibility. The SOM NPs are applied as probes for high-resolution imaging of whole-body and hind-limb blood vessels, biliary tract, and bladder with their emissions over 1500 nm. This work demonstrates an atom-programming strategy for constructing semiconducting small molecules with enhanced NIR-II fluorescence for deep-tissue imaging, affording new insight for advancing molecular design of NIR-II fluorophores.