Water-soluble bright NIR AIEgens with hybrid ROS for wash-free mitochondrial “off–on” imaging and photodynamic therapy

Several aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with excellent water-solubility and near-infrared emission were designed and synthesized for wash-free "off-on" mitochondrial imaging and photodynamic therapy of HeLa cells. The AIEgen TEPP exhibits both bright near-infrared emission (φF = 17.8%) and high hybrid ROS productivity (including OH˙ and 1O2).