Developing dual-state luminophores (DSLs) with strong fluorescence in both the monomer and aggregate states is urgently needed but remains a huge challenge because most current luminophores are either aggregation-induced emission or aggregation-caused quenching molecules. Moreover, limited by the structural conservation of the few existing DSLs, there are not enough response sites that can be used to customize various activatable fluorescent probes for specific molecular imaging. Herein, we engineered a general integration strategy for the fabrication of such DSLs with excellent photophysical properties. The DSLs, with their tunable spectra, a large Stokes shift (>170 nm), and achievable near-infrared (NIR) emission, show great potential for high-contrast imaging. Importantly, DSLs can be used as a universal platform for probe customization due to their activatable fluorescence through protection–deprotection of the phenolic hydroxyl group. Based on this, an NIR fluorescent probe DSL-Gal was developed for sensing of β-galactosidase in solutions, senescent cells, and liver metastases with high contrast, further confirming the superiority and universal feasibility of DSLs in probe design. The integration strategy may provide a novel approach for the generation of other DSLs and have great potential applications in bioimaging.

开发在单体和聚合状态下都具有强荧光的双态发光团 (DSL) 是迫切需要的，但仍然是一个巨大的挑战，因为大多数当前的发光团要么是聚集诱导发光，要么是聚集引起的猝灭分子。此外，受限于少数现有 DSL 的结构保守性，没有足够的响应位点可用于为特定分子成像定制各种可激活的荧光探针。在此，我们设计了一种通用集成策略，用于制造具有出色光物理特性的此类 DSL。DSL 具有可调光谱、大斯托克斯位移 (>170 nm) 和可实现的近红外 (NIR) 发射，显示出高对比度成像的巨大潜力。重要的，DSL 可用作探针定制的通用平台，因为它们可通过酚羟基的保护-脱保护来激活荧光。基于此，开发了一种近红外荧光探针DSL-Gal，用于高对比度地检测溶液、衰老细胞和肝转移中的β-半乳糖苷酶，进一步证实了DSLs在探针设计中的优越性和普遍可行性。该集成策略可能为其他 DSL 的生成提供一种新方法，并在生物成像中具有巨大的潜在应用。进一步证实了 DSL 在探针设计中的优越性和普遍可行性。该集成策略可能为其他 DSL 的生成提供一种新方法，并在生物成像中具有巨大的潜在应用。进一步证实了 DSL 在探针设计中的优越性和普遍可行性。该集成策略可能为其他 DSL 的生成提供一种新方法，并在生物成像中具有巨大的潜在应用。