Abstract
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in cyanostilbenes due to their
unique photophysical properties. The compounds emit light when aggregating, commonly
called aggregation-induced emission (AIE). This remarkable feature makes cyanostilbenes
ideal for various sensing applications, especially in aqueous environments. The detection
of various analytes, such as metal ions and nitroaromatic compounds, has been accomplished
using these compounds through various sensing mechanisms from chelation-enhanced fluorescence
to fluorescence quenching. Furthermore, cyanostilbenes have shown great promise in
biological imaging applications and have been employed for intracellular imaging,
tracking, and targeting of sub-cellular organelles. The development and utilization
of cyanostilbenes can significantly impact advanced sensing and imaging technologies
in both analytical and biological fields. This potential stems from the unique properties
of cyanostilbenes, such as their AIE characteristics, which sets them apart from other
compounds and makes them highly useful for various applications. Further exploration
and development of cyanostilbenes could lead to the creation of novel sensing and
imaging technologies with wide-ranging applications in both academic and industrial
settings.
Key words
aggregation-induced emission - acrylonitriles - bioimaging - cyanostyrenes - chromophores
