Search

By synergistically employing four key strategies: (I) introducing tetraphenylethylene groups as the central core unit with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties, (II) optimizing the π‐conjugated length by extending the building block branches, (III) incorporating flexible groups containing ethylenic bonds, and (IV) applying crystal engineering to attain dense stacking mode and highly twisty conformation, we successfully synthesized a series of hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) exhibiting exceptional one/two‐photon excited fluorescence. Notably, when utilizing the fluorescently superior building block L2, HOF‐LIFM‐7 and HOF‐LIFM‐8 exhibiting high quantum yields (QY) of 82.1 % and 77.1 %, and ultrahigh two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐sections of 148959.5 GM and 123901.1 GM were achieved. These materials were successfully employed in one and two‐photon excited lysosome‐targeting cellular imaging. It is believed that this strategy, combining building block optimization and crystal engineering, holds significant potential for guiding the development of outstanding fluorescent HOF materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By synergistically employing four key strategies: (I) introducing tetraphenylethylene groups as the central core unit with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties, (II) optimizing the π‐conjugated length by extending the building block branches, (III) incorporating flexible groups containing ethylenic bonds, and (IV) applying crystal engineering to attain dense stacking mode and highly twisty conformation, we successfully synthesized a series of hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) exhibiting exceptional one/two‐photon excited fluorescence. Notably, when utilizing the fluorescently superior building block L2, HOF‐LIFM‐7 and HOF‐LIFM‐8 exhibiting high quantum yields (QY) of 82.1 % and 77.1 %, and ultrahigh two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐sections of 148959.5 GM and 123901.1 GM were achieved. These materials were successfully employed in one and two‐photon excited lysosome‐targeting cellular imaging. It is believed that this strategy, combining building block optimization and crystal engineering, holds significant potential for guiding the development of outstanding fluorescent HOF materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found use in broad range of applications such as in catalysis and nanomedicine. Despite the fact that thiol-based AuNPs have been widely studied, they suffer from relative instability in various conditions, such as high and low temperatures, pH variations, and are prone to oxidation. Over the last decade, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been under spotlight as suitable ligands to stabilize metal nanoparticles and surfaces. Although NHC-functionalized AuNPs have been shown to outperform their thiol-based analogs in terms of stability, their applications in nanomedicine have not been realized. Hybrid nanomaterials, such as AuNPs tagged with π-conjugated molecules with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property, are promising candidates to develop fluorescent materials for cellular imaging. The combination of NHC-stabilized AuNPs with AIE to form stable, fluorescent hybrid AuNPs is of significant interest to open the door to develop new NHC-based nanomaterials. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of water-soluble fluorescent NHC-decorated AuNPs for potential applications in nanomedicine. Their stability in biologically relevant conditions is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual‐state emission luminogens (DSEgens) are receiving research interest in the construction of multifunctional materials due to their inherent advantage of high emission efficiency in both the molecularly dispersed solution state and the solid state. However, it remains challenging in synthesizing DSEgens via a delicate manipulation of the molecular structures. This work presents an example of bright DSEgen synthesis by tuning the molecular electronic structures and conformations. Three coumarin‐tetraphenylethylene (TPE) molecules with a donor‐acceptor electronic structure and highly twisting conformations have been synthesized. While compound resulting from direct conjugation of coumarin with a TPE unit shows aggregation‐induced emission, compound with an N,N‐diaminoethyl modification on the 7‐position of coumarin and compound with a further phenyl linker between coumarin and TPE units feature strong dual‐state emission. Benefiting from their strong solid emission and twisting conformations, these fluorophores display reversible mechanofluorochromism. Finally, applications for rewritable information storage in the solid state and live‐cell imaging in the solution state were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A coumarin coupled tetraphenylethylene based AIEgen (TPE-Lac) with an intense greenish-yellow emission has been synthesized and utilized for multipurpose sensing and imaging applications. TPE-Lac acts as a sensitive sensor for the detection of cyanide ions (CN−) with an immediate turn-off response in the presence of many other interfering cations and anions. The limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 33 nM, which is well below the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Cyanide detection in the solid phase was successfully demonstrated by drop-casting the solution of the TPE-Lac probe on TLC plates and measuring and analysing the fluorescence response by ImageJ analysis. TPE-Lac was further employed in the detection of explosive nitroaromatics in solution and solid phases. Also, TPE-Lac was found suitable as an imaging agent and could easily percolate into live H520 cells giving bright fluorescence from the intra-cellular region. Easy and cost-effective synthesis, fast response and low LODs are some of the advantages of this AIEgen over available molecular probes for the same purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitroreductase (NTR) is a frequently used biomarker for the assessment of hypoxia level in tumors. As one of the main sources of enzymes, the dysfunction of lysosomes typically leads to various diseases. In this study, an NTR-triggered lysosome-targeting probe, M-TPE-P, was designed based on a tetraphenylethylene core. DFT calculation indicated that the probe possessed a narrow singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE ST), rendering it an efficient photosensitizer. The docking affinity of M-TPE-P to NTR revealed a strong structural match between them. Photophysical properties demonstrated that the probe exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity in a broad pH rang for detecting NTR with k cat / K m as 2.18 × 104 M−1 s−1. The detection limit was determined to be 53.6 ng/mL in 80 % PBS/DMSO solution. Cell imaging studies showed the probe could trace intracellular NTR behavior with green fluorescence. The colocalization analysis indicated its excellent lysosome-targeting specificity. In addition, the probe exhibited effective ROS generation ability and significant PDT effect after NIR irradiation, positioning it as a promising photosensitizer for cancer treatment. Schematic Representation of the NTR-responsive fluorescence turn-on photosensitizer for lysosomes imaging and photodynamic therapy. [Display omitted] • An NTR-responsive fluorescence turn-on probe M-TPE-P for lysosomes imaging was developed. • M-TPE-P showed high selectivity and sensitivity with a low detection limit toward NTR. • M-TPE-P displayed time-dependent behaviors, excellent lysosomes targeting and ROS generation ability in 4T1 cells. • The structure relationship between the probe M-TPE-P and NTR was demonstrated by DFT and docking calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new family of tetraphenylethylene-based N,O-chelated boranil complexes (TPE-BAs) with AIE properties were synthesized. • The stability, photophysical properties, and crystal stacking of TPE-BAs are closely related to the substituents on the aniline portion. • Electron-donor-substituted TPE-BA-OMe exhibits the best stability and high quantum yield. • TPE-BA-OMe can serve as excellent fluorescent probes for specific imaging of lipid droplets in living cells. A new family of tetraphenylethylene-based N,O-chelated boranil complexes (TPE-BAs) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics were developed. X-ray crystallographic analysis indicated that the terminal substituents on the aniline moiety significantly affected the intermolecular stacking mode, thereby influencing the photophysical properties. The stabilities of these compounds are closely related to the substituents on the aniline moiety. Electron-donor-substituted TPE-BA-OMe exhibited the best stability, whereas the electron-acceptor-substituted compounds exhibited poor stability. Benefitting from its AIE properties and suitable lipophilicity, TPE-BA-OMe served as an excellent fluorescent probe for the specific bioimaging of lipid droplets in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional polymer, especially the one based on renewable and sustainable materials, has attracted increasing attention to satisfy the growing demand for the design of stimuli‐responsive devices. Methylcellulose (MC) is a water‐soluble derivative of cellulose, which has been widely used in many fields for its biocompatibility and biological inertness. In this work, MC is labeled by tetraphenylethylene (TPE) via azide–alkyne click reaction to obtain a fluorescent cellulose‐based derivative of MC‐TPE. The degree of substitution of MC‐TPE is determined to be 0.074, which can be self‐assembled into micelles in water with the size of 42 ± 6 nm. MC‐TPE shows thermoresponsivity and thermoreversibility in size, transmittance, and fluorescence, enabling it to work as a fluorescent thermosensor. Moreover, MC‐TPE exhibits nontoxicity and biocompatibility, allowing its application in MCF‐7 cell imaging. Therefore, this newly functional natural polymer shows promising potentials in the fields of sensing and bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to the potential of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) phenomena, improved stabilities, and the good selectivity and sensitivity of the chemical responses exhibited by the products, coordination‐driven self‐assembly with tetraphenylethylene (TPE) units has recently received much attention and has been widely investigated for application in chemical sensors, cell imaging agents, light‐harvesting systems, and others. Several reviews have emerged on the topics of AIE chemistry and aggregation‐induced emission luminogen (AIEgen)‐based supramolecular assembles, however, there is still a distinct lack of full overviews of emission enhancement from the viewpoint of metal‐coordination effects. Thus, this minireview offers recent advances that have been made in the design and application of TPE‐based metallacycles, metallacages, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers (CPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two red‐emitting dicyanomethylene‐4H‐pyran (DM) based fluorescent probes were designed and used for peroxynitrite (ONOO−) detection. Nevertheless, the aggregation‐caused quenching effect diminished the fluorescence and restricted their further applications. To overcome this problem, tetraphenylethylene (TPE) based glycoclusters were used to self‐assemble with these DM probes to obtain supramolecular water‐soluble glyco‐dots. This self‐assembly strategy enhanced the fluorescence intensity, leading to an enhanced selectivity and activity of the resulting glyco‐dot comparing to DM probes alone in PBS buffer. The glyco‐dots also exhibited better results during fluorescence sensing of intracellular ONOO− than the probes alone, thereby offering scope for the development of other similar supramolecular glyco‐systems for chemical biological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Encapsulating fluorogens into polymeric nanoparticles is proven an effective method to shield the fluorogens from the outer environment and improve the biocompatibility as well. Conventionally, the fluorogens are firstly conjugated to the monomers and then polymerized into macromolecules, where tedious molecular design and synthesis was unavoidable. Herein, we present a facile method to prepare the fluorogen-functionalized polymer, and then use the polymer as build blocks to fabricate nano-probes aiming at cell-imaging. Unlike the conventional ways, we prepared a homopolymer with active esters on the repeating units and used the polymer as matrix to graft fluorogens and hydrophilic groups. Note that the fluorogen and hydrophilic groups selected in our study were tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), respectively. The resulting amphiphilic random copolymer self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles with size around 225 nm in aqueous solution. With comparable amount of TPE moieties, the polymeric nanoparticles demonstrated much stronger emission than the nanoparticles formed by small molecules of TPE derivatives. The polymeric nanoparticles showed very good stability and biocompatibility, and were employed to label Hela cells and gave high-contrast fluorescent images. We anticipate that the methodology presented in this study might be developed into a general avenue to encapsulating fluorogens into nanoparticles. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Post-polymerization modification was employed to prepare amphiphilic copolymers. • The copolymer contains TPE and PEG groups on the side chain. • The nanoparticles formed by the copolymers showed strong fluorescent emission. • The nanoparticles were applied to label Hela cells with high-contrast images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Deliberate design of specific and sensitive molecular probes with distinctive physical/chemical properties for analyte sensing is of great significance. Herein, by taking advantage of the position‐dependent substituent effects, an aggregation‐induced emission featured iron (III) probe from ortho‐substituted pyridinyl‐functionalized tetraphenylethylene (TPE‐o‐Py) is synthesized. It displays high sensitivity and selectivity toward iron (III) detection. The recognition arises from the position isomer of ortho‐substitution, and the fact that TPE‐o‐Py has a low acid dissociation constant (pK a) that is close to that of hydrolyzed Fe3+. Importantly, TPE‐o‐Py as a light‐up fluorescence probe could be employed for Fe3+ sensing in living cells with a pronounced red‐shift in fluorescence emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a new water soluble Ca 2+ fluorescence chemosensor based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics has been developed, combining the AIE effect of tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and the complexation capability of bidentate pyridine carboxylate. The bidentate pyridine carboxylate group provides the chemosensor with good water-solubility which is important for detection in biological systems. This chemosensor L showed high selectivity for Ca 2+ by a turn-on response in almost pure aqueous solution with a detection limit of 51.2 nM. L can be used as a recyclable Ca 2+ fluorescent chemosensor in the presence of EDTA. Moreover, the chemosensor L was successfully applied to imaging detection and real-time monitoring of Ca 2+ in living cells with low toxicity and good membrane permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two kinds of shape‐controllable and fluorescent supramolecular organic frameworks (cuboid or spheroid) are constructed hierarchically from CB[8] and tetraphenylethylene derivatives through host–guest interaction in water. These two fluorescent SOFs exhibit intriguing and varied photophysical properties, including large red‐shifts (up to 82 nm) and stimuli‐responsive behavior to competitive guest by binding with CB[8], the turn‐on fluorescence of which is applied in cellular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two kinds of shape‐controllable and fluorescent supramolecular organic frameworks (cuboid or spheroid) are constructed hierarchically from CB[8] and tetraphenylethylene derivatives through host–guest interaction in water. These two fluorescent SOFs exhibit intriguing and varied photophysical properties, including large red‐shifts (up to 82 nm) and stimuli‐responsive behavior to competitive guest by binding with CB[8], the turn‐on fluorescence of which is applied in cellular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we reported a novel tetraphenylethylene diol amphiphile ( 2 ) with aggregation-induced emission property which self-assembled to form unique 3D cubic superstructure. This TPE amphiphile with strong bluish green emission exhibited high biocompatibility and improved cellular uptake. Moreover, this highly fluorescent molecule was conjugated with gold nanoparticles and used as a fluorescent tagging agent. Altogether, results supported the cell-imaging and fluorescent tagging properties of tetraphenylethylene diol amphiphile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembly schemes provide a simple and tunable approach to creating a myriad of well-defined nanostructures from design of macromolecules in bulk, thin film and solution environments. Here we demonstrated a facile method to construction of tetraphenylethylene nanoparticles (TPE NPs) by decomposition-assembly from pH-responsive and AIE-characteristic vesicles, which were self-assembled by an amphiphilic PEG 750 -POSS-(TPE) 7 polymer in aqueous solutions. The introduction of Schiff base bonds furnished the fluorescent polymersomes with unique pH responsiveness that is stable under physiological conditions but quickly degradable in acidic environments. Interestingly, the luminous vesicles were transformed into spherical TPE NPs in a solution of lower pH on account of the synergetic combination of cleavage rate of the Schiff base bonds and guidance effect of the entangled tadpole-shaped polymeric chains. The AIE feature of TPE molecule was completely retained in the TPE NPs. Compared to the pH-responsive PEG 750 -POSS-(TPE) 7 vesicles, these AIE-active TPE NPs possessed stable morphology and adjustable size by manipulation of the incubation time. These TPE NPs can be quickly internalized into the tumors through endocytosis pathway and retain strong blue luminescence inside the living cells for a long period, presenting the good photostability and biological imaging property. Cytotoxicity assay revealed that TPE NPs were biocompatible and thus can be utilized for long-term live cell imaging and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two aza-BODIPY derivatives (AZB-TPE 1 and AZB-TPE 2) and their aggregation-induced emission features were reported. • Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) groups were added to para -positions of 3,5-phenyls of aza-BODIPY to improve the dye's aggregation emission. • Intramolecular energy transfer between the TPE donor and the aza-BODIPY acceptor was observed with energy transfer efficiencies of 84–97% and substantial pseudo-Stokes shifts of 395–406 nm. • Application of the dyes in NIR cancer cell imaging revealed intense fluorescence inside the cells with persistence signals. We provide a simple method to synthesize tetraphenylethylene-modified aza-BODIPY dyes (AZB-TPE 1 and AZB-TPE 2) with aggregation-enhanced emission. Single-crystal X-ray method, electrochemical experiments, and TD-DFT calculations were used to understand more about their electronic and photophysical properties. The intramolecular energy transfer between the TPE donor and the aza-BODIPY acceptor was observed from both dyes, with 84–97% energy transfer efficiencies and large pseudo-Stokes shifts of 395 – 406 nm. Aggregation studies in THF/water solution showed increased fluorescence in the aggregated form. X-ray crystal structure of AZB-TPE 2 suggested the reduction of intermolecular pi-pi interactions between the structures. Finally, these NIR-emitting particles with superior water dispersion and biocompatibility demonstrated amazing features in bioimaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water soluble tetraphenylethene-based (TPE) aggregation-induced emission fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) were facilely prepared via Schiff base condensation with polyethylenimine (PEI) and subsequent reduction. The obtained TPE-PEI FONs were characterized by a series of techniques including H-NMR, C-NMR, gel permeation chromatography, UV absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, size distribution and zeta potential measurement, and transmission electron microscopy. Biocompatibility evaluation and cell imaging of TPE-PEI FONs were further explored. We demonstrated that such FONs showed intense fluorescence, spherical morphology and excellent biocompatibility, making them very suitable for cell imaging application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) derivatives based on TPE (tetraphenylethylene) containing the electron-donating moiety (–NMe 2 , –OMe) and bromine (–Br) moiety were prepared, which are key intermediates for tuning the emission wavelength of TPE; Type 1: dimethylamine (NMe 2)-substituted derivatives, Type 2: methoxy (OMe)-substituted derivatives, Type 3: bromine (Br)-substituted derivatives, and Type 4: mixed formulation derivatives. We systematically analyzed the synthesis, AIE properties, photophysical properties, and biological applicability of 16 types of TPE-based AIEgen. We expect that our investigation, especially the donor-substitution effect of TPE, could serve as a guide to developing a new TPE-based AIEgen series as well as fluorescent probes. [Display omitted] • Donor-substitution effect of tetraphenylethylene (TPE) AIEgens was systematically identified. • Synthesis and photophysical property of 16 derivatives of TPE was disclosed. • CLSM imaging of cells using the TPE derivatives was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A turn-on fluorescent chemosensor strategy based on the change in the polarity of aggregation induced emission active tetraphenylethene is presented for the detection of Hg2+ in aqueous medium and in living cells. The sensing mechanism involves the formation of nonpolar fluorescent aggregates of tetraphenylethene molecules by elimination of polar moieties of TPE with Hg2+ interaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chitosan with tetraphenylethene pendants (TPE-CS) are synthesized by reaction between amine and isothiocyanate groups of chitosan and tetraphenylethene (TPE), respectively. Nanoparticles of TPE-CS (TPE-CS NPs) are fabricated by ionic gelation method. The NPs are uniform in size, spherical in shape, monodispersed, and positive in surface charge. The suspension of TPE-CS NPs emits strong blue fluorescence under photoexcitation due to the aggregation-induced emission characteristics of the TPE moieties. The NPs can be internalized into cytoplasm through endocytosis pathway and retain inside the live cells to image the cells. Cytotoxicity assay reveals that TPE-CS NPs are cytocompatible and thus can be used for long-term live cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a novel synthetic approach to ortho-methyl substituted tetraphenylethene materials, which can be utilised for directly validating the restriction of intramolecular rotation hypothesis as the basic mechanism of aggregation-induced emission phenomenon and cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a new strategy to restrict the motions of AIE molecules through host–guest inclusion, affording a catalogue of new molecular luminogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First fluorescent sensor for simultaneously sensing Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ was reported. • The sensor exhibited excellent red fluorescence at 500−526 nm in aqueous media. • The detection of Zn2+, Cd2+ or Hg2+ showed obvious color changes of fluorescence. • The detection limits were as low as 8.22 × 10−8 M, 2.36 × 10−7 M and 3.43 × 10−8 M. • The sensor was used in test strips and cell-imaging for sensing Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+. This work report the first AIE-based fluorescence sensor that can simultaneously detect three kinds of IIB elements (Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+) in aqueous media. The thiourea-bridging bis-tetraphenylethylene (Bis-TPE) was synthesized by the condensation reaction of formyltetraphenylethylene and bis-thiosemicarbazide derivative in 82 % yield. Due to the AIE effect in the aqueous medium, the long-wavelength fluorescence was observed at 500–526 nm. It displayed high selective Zn2+-sensing ability with red-to-green fluorescence change, selective Cd2+-sensing ability with red-to-yellow fluorescence change and selective Hg2+-sensing ability with fluorescence enhancement, respectively. Moreover, it could detect simultaneously Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ in the mixed solution of these three kinds of cations by the fluorescence change with the assistance of Cl− and ATP. The sensing mechanism was confirmed as 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between host and guest. The detection limits were as low as 8.22×10-8 M, 2.36×10-7 M and 3.43×10-8 M for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, respectively. These sensing abilities were applied as test strips for detecting Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, and were used for living cell imaging, implying a high efficient and simple method for analyzing trace IIB elements (Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+) simultaneously in complex environments and living bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work designed and synthesized the first organic fluorescent sensor for curcumin in aqueous media based on red-to-green fluorescence change of acylhydrazone-bridged bis-tetraphenylethylene (Bis-TPE). Bis-TPE was prepared by condensation of formyltetraphenylethylene with dihydrazide oxalate in 86% yield. It has the large conjugated electron effect with strong red AIE fluorescence in aqueous solution. It displayed high selective sensing ability for curcumin with red-to-green fluorescence change in THF-H 2 O (5:95). The detection limit was as low as 1.15 × 10−7 M. The sensing mechanism was confirmed as 1:1 stoichiometric ratio based on quadruple hydrogen bonds. Bis-TPE was successfully applied for analyzing curcumin of ginger and living cell imaging, supplying a new detecting strategy for curcumin in real sample and living environment. The first organic fluorescent sensor for curcumin in aqueous media based on red-to-green fluorescence change of acylhydrazone-bridged bis-tetraphenylethylene was reported. Unlabelled Image • The first fluorescent sensor for curcumin in aqueous media was reported. • The obvious red-to-green fluorescence change was observed after sensing curcumin. • The detection limit was as low as 1.15 × 10−7 M. • This sensor was applied in detecting curcumin in real sample of ginger. • This sensor exhibited good fluorescent response for curcumin in living bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although all kinds of sensors with unique detecting ability for one guest were reported, the fluorescence sensor with multiple detecting abilities was seldom presented. This work designed and synthesized a novel AIE fluorescence probe bearing double detecting for ATP based on Cu2+ and Zn2+ response of hydrazono-bis-tetraphenylethylene (Bis-TPE). Bis-TPE was prepared in 82% yield with simple procedure. It exhibited strong red AIE fluorescence based on the large conjugated electron effect in aqueous media. It showed outstanding selective sensing abilities for Cu2+ by strong fluorescence quenching and for Zn2+ by red-orange fluorescence change. The sensing mechanism of 1:1 stoichiometric ratios was confirmed by 1H NMR and MS study. The strong red fluorescence of Bis-TPE + Cu2+ system could be recovered by adding ATP. The orange fluorescence of Bis-TPE + Zn2+ system could be quenched by adding Cu2+ and then was recovered by adding ATP. These double detecting abilities for ATP with the "off-on" red fluorescence in Bis-TPE + Cu2+ system and "allochroic-off-on" orange fluorescence in Bis-TPE + Zn2++Cu2+ system were successfully applied to test Cu2+, Zn2+ and ATP in test paper and living cell imaging, displaying the good application prospects for sensing Cu2+, Zn2+ and double detecting ATP in the complicated environment. Image 1 • Hydrazono-bridged bis-tetraphenylethylene (Bis-TPE) was prepared in 82% yield. • The first double-detecting Fluorescent Sensor for ATP was observed by Bis-TPE. • Bis-TPE showed selective sensing abilities for Cu2+ with fluorescence quenching. • Bis-TPE exhibited sensing abilities for Zn2+ by red-orange fluorescence change. • Bis-TPE was applied to test Cu2+, Zn2+ and ATP in test paper and living cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]