Pillar[5]arene-BODIPY host-guest interaction induced fluorescence enhancement and lysosomes targetable bioimaging in dilute solution

Supramolecular complex by pillar[5]arenes and BODIPY dyad through host-guest interaction was developed and showed aggregation induced emission (AIE) property. 1 H NMR titration and 2D NOESY NMR measurements were performed to evidence the host-guest interaction and the complex was formed by 1:1 M ratio. The fluorescence intensities of the BODIPY dyad were enhanced by increasing solution viscosity or and host-guest supramolecular interaction with pillar[5]arenes. Preliminary living cell imaging results demonstrated the highly emissive complex showed lysosome targetable property. • A BODIPY derivative and pillar[5]arenes formed host-guest supramolecular complexes. • The BODIPY derivative showed enhanced emission in viscous solution. • The complex showed lysosomes targetable property in living cell imaging.