ZnII Complexes for Bioimaging and Correlated Applications

Zinc is a biocompatible element that exists as the second most abundant transition metal ion and an indispensable trace element in the human body. Compared to traditional metal-organic complexes systems, d(10) metal Zn-II complexes not only exhibit a large Stokes shift and good photon stability but also possess strong emission and low cytotoxicity with a relatively small molecular weight. The use of Zn-II complexes has emerged in the last decade as a versatile and convenient tool for numerous biological applications, including bioimaging, molecular and protein recognition, as well as photodynamic therapy. Herein, we review recent developments involving Zn-II metal complexes applied as specific subcellular compartment imaging probes and their correlated utilizations.