Self-enhanced multicolor electrochemiluminescence by competitive electron-transfer processes. Issue 17 (23rd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Voci, Silvia; Duwald, Romain; Grass, Stéphane; Hayne, David J.; Bouffier, Laurent; Francis, Paul S.; Lacour, Jérôme; Sojic, Neso
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 11:Issue 17(2020)
• Page Start: 4508
• Page End: 4515
• Publication Date: 2020-04-23
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sc00853b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Controlling electrochemiluminescence (ECL) color(s) is crucial for many applications ranging from multiplexed bioassays to ECL microscopy. Abstract : Controlling electrochemiluminescence (ECL) color(s) is crucial for many applications ranging from multiplexed bioassays to ECL microscopy. This can only be achieved through the fundamental understanding of high-energy electron-transfer processes in complex and competitive reaction schemes. Recently, this field has generated huge interest, but the effective implementation of multicolor ECL is constrained by the limited number of ECL-active organometallic dyes. Herein, the first self-enhanced organic ECL dye, a chiral red-emitting cationic diaza [4]helicene connected to a dimethylamino moiety by a short linker, is reported. This molecular system integrates bifunctional ECL features ( i.e. luminophore and coreactant) and each function may be operated either separately or simultaneously. This unique level of control is enabled by integrating but decoupling both molecular functions in a single molecule. Through this dual molecular reactivity, concomitant multicolor ECL emission from red to blue with tunable intensity is readily obtained in aqueous media. This is done through competitive electron-transfer processes between the helicene and a ruthenium or iridium dye. The reported approach provides a general methodology to extend to other coreactant/luminophore systems, opening enticing perspectives for spectrally distinct detection of several analytes, and original analytical and imaging strategies.