Improved emission performance of benzo[a]phenoxazine in aqueous solution through host-guest interaction

To evaluate the contribution of host-guest chemistry in fluorescence enhancement under aqueous conditions, two benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives with the adamantyl group were prepared. After they formed stable complexes with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, their emissions at 625-825 nm were greatly increased and fluorescence quantum yields reached 11.5-12.6% in aqueous solution. Furthermore, they were successfully applied in fluorescence labeling of organelles in HeLa cells.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the contribution of host-guest chemistry in fluorescence enhancement under aqueous conditions. Two benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives with the adamantyl group were synthesized and formed stable complexes with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. The emissions of these complexes were greatly increased in aqueous solution, with fluorescence quantum yields reaching 11.5-12.6%. Furthermore, they were successfully applied in fluorescence labeling of organelles in HeLa cells.