A Fluorogenic Probe with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Carboxylesterase Assay through Formation of Supramolecular Microfibers

Herein, we report a novel fluorescent “light‐up” probe useful for carboxylesterase assay that is based on a tetraphenylethylene derivative containing carboxylic ester groups. The specific cleavage of the carboxylic ester bonds by carboxylesterase results in the generation of a relatively hydrophobic moiety that self‐assembles into supramolecular microfibers, thus giving rise to “turn‐on” fluorescent signals. A high sensitivity towards carboxylesterase was achieved with a detection limit as low as 29 pM, which is much lower than the corresponding assays based on other fluorescent approaches. A million little fibers: A novel fluorogenic probe based on a tetraphenylethylene derivative containing carboxylic ester groups for carboxylesterase recognition was designed and synthesized. The specific cleavage of the carboxylic ester bond by carboxylesterase results in the generation of a relatively hydrophobic moiety that self‐assembles into highly fluorescent supramolecular microfibers, thus giving rise to “turn‐on” fluorescent signals.