Luminescent Rhenium(I)–Polypyridine Complexes Appended with a Perylene Diimide or Benzoperylene Monoimide Moiety: Photophysics, Intracellular Sensing, and Photocytotoxic Activity.

This communication reports novel luminescent rhenium(I)–polypyridine complexes appended with a perylene diimide (PDI) or benzoperylene monoimide (BPMI) moiety through a non‐conjugated linker. The photophysical and photochemical properties originating from the interactions of the metal polypyridine and perylene units were exploited to afford new cellular reagents with thiol‐sensing capability and excellent photocytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]