Fine tuning of pyridinium-functionalized dibenzo[a,c]phenazine near-infrared AIE fluorescent biosensors for the detection of lipopolysaccharide, bacterial imaging and photodynamic antibacterial therapy

A series of NIR fluorescent probes of dibenzophenazine pyridine salt with different alkyl chain were developed for the detection of LPS. BD2C with ethyl chain exhibited a significant improvement of the singlet oxygen yield and antibacterial property.