Geminal cross-coupling synthesis, ion-induced emission and lysosome imaging of cationic tetraarylethene oligoelectrolytesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures/characterization, optical spectra, and molecular simulation. See DOI: 10.1039/c8cc00533h

Neutral conjugated tetraarylethenes OF n ( n = 1-3) and the corresponding cationic conjugated oligoelectrolytes OF n + ( n = 1-3) with aggregation-induced emission activity have been designed and synthesized using geminal cross-coupling. OF n + ( n = 1-3) feature ion-induced emission in aqueous solution. They are used for lysosomal fluorescence imaging and tracing of lysosome events. Novel ratiometric AIE-active tetraarylethene oligoelectrolytes synthesized by geminal cross-coupling show ion-induced emission and are applied as bioprobes for lysosome tracing.