Tris(Znsalen) cryptand minimizes Znsalen aggregation arising from intermolecular Zn⋯O interaction

Exploring the factors to control Znsalen aggregation is of importance to design functional materials in catalysis, optical materials and biological imaging. In this work, we synthesized and characterized four cryptand type triZnsalen complexes and found that cryptand structure could efficiently minimize intermolecular Zn⋯O interaction. More importantly, encapsulated by PLGA nanoparticles, cryptand triZnsalen 1 displayed visible intracellular fluorescence whereas monomeric Znsalen 5 could not. These results provide a new access to design new luminescent materials with the potential application in optics and biological studies.

Graphical abstractWe report that cryptand structure can minimizes Znsalen aggregation arising from intermolecular Zn⋯O interaction, which has the potential application in cell imaging.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide