Abstract: The present invention provides a luminogenic, in particular a phosphorogenic transition metal-based pyridyl complex containing a nitrone moiety, which nitrone moiety acts as a bioorthogonal functional group and an emission quencher, and can undergo cycloaddition reaction with a complementary bioorthogonal functional group coupled to a substrate. The transition metal is can be selected from iridium or ruthenium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the transition metal-based pyridyl complex and a pharmaceutical composition comprising it. Still further provided is a method for bioorthogonal labeling of a biomolecule, a method for staining of a cell structure, a method for in vivo imaging of an organism, and a kit for in vivo imaging of an organism. The luminogenic properties and high reactivity of the complexes are highly advantageous for bioorthogonal labeling and imaging of biomolecules in their native biological environments at much lower costs than those of the existing commercial products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a luminogenic, in particular a phosphorogenic transition metal-based pyridyl complex containing a nitrone moiety, which nitrone moiety acts as a bioorthogonal functional group and an emission quencher, and can undergo cycloaddition reaction with a complementary bioorthogonal functional group coupled to a substrate. The transition metal is can be selected from iridium or ruthenium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the transition metal-based pyridyl complex and a pharmaceutical composition comprising it. Still further provided is a method for bioorthogonal labeling of a biomolecule, a method for staining of a cell structure, a method for in vivo imaging of an organism, and a kit for in vivo imaging of an organism. The luminogenic properties and high reactivity of the complexes are highly advantageous for bioorthogonal labeling and imaging of biomolecules in their native biological environments at much lower costs than those of the existing commercial products.

Abstract: A phosphorescent transition metal complex especially suitable as sensor for hydrogen peroxide in cells, in particular in mitochondria in live cells, includes a metallic central atom, which is a transition metal, a first ligand with at least one pyridine ring, and a second ligand having at least one pyridine ring and at least one structural component selected from the group of 1,2-diketone moiety and an arylboronate moiety. A method for preparing the metal complex is also disclosed as well as a method of detecting hydrogen peroxide in cells by incubating cells with the transition metal complex. The metal complex shows advantageous intense and long-lived phosphorescence accompanied by exceptional cellular localization properties. The metal complex is highly photostable and highly selective towards hydrogen peroxide, thus, especially suitable for detecting mitochondrial H2O2.

Abstract: A phosphorescent transition metal complex especially suitable as sensor for hydrogen peroxide in cells, in particular in mitochondria in live cells, includes a metallic central atom, which is a transition metal, a first ligand with at least one pyridine ring, and a second ligand having at least one pyridine ring and at least one structural component selected from the group of 1,2-diketone moiety and an arylboronate moiety. A method for preparing the metal complex is also disclosed as well as a method of detecting hydrogen peroxide in cells by incubating cells with the transition metal complex. The metal complex shows advantageous intense and long-lived phosphorescence accompanied by exceptional cellular localization properties. The metal complex is highly photostable and highly selective towards hydrogen peroxide, thus, especially suitable for detecting mitochondrial H2O2.