CinNapht AIE(E)gens for selective imaging of lipid droplets

This article describes the synthesis and photophysical properties of Aggregation-Induced Emission (enhancement) luminogens derivated from CinNaphts dyes. These fluorophores can be obtained in good yields in a single SNAr step of a fluorinated CinNapht derivative by incorporating hindered aromatic amines. They exhibit AIE(E) behavior associated with solid-state fluorescence covering an emission range from 563 to 722 nm. One carbazole derivative demonstrates a remarkable efficiency in imaging lipid droplets in living cells through an original photophysical mechanism. The use of hindered aromatic amines in a SNAr reaction enabled the synthesis of novel AIE(E)gens derivatives of CinNaphts, suitable for fluorescence imaging of lipid droplets in living cells.