Deoxyestrone-based lipofection agents with solution- and solid-state emission properties

In this contribution, three deoxyestrone-based emissive lipofection agents are reported. Because of a centrally incorporated terephthalonitrile motif, these ligands can be classified as solution and solid-state emitters (SSSEs). With the attachment of tobramycin, these amphiphilic structures are able to form lipoplexes, mediating gene transfection of HeLa and HEK 293T cells. The first class of solution and solid-state emitters (SSSE) capable of mediating gene transfection of different cell lines is reported. These amphiphiles can self-assemble in presence of DNA, forming luminescent lipoplexes that feature low toxicity.