Molecular Programming of NIR-IIb-Emissive Semiconducting Small Molecules for In Vivo High-Contrast Bioimaging Beyond 1500 nm

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.

Automated summary

A series of highly fluorescent semiconducting oligomers (SOMs) with tunable NIR-IIb emissions were developed for in vivo dynamic visualization of microstructures in deep tissues using an atom-programming strategy. These SOMs self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) and exhibited good brightness, high photostability, and satisfactory biocompatibility. They were successfully applied as probes for high-resolution imaging of blood vessels, biliary tract, and bladder with emissions over 1500 nm.