Multi-aryl pyrroles: Exploring aggregation-induced emission for the biological/medical applications

Pyrrole is one of the most common five-membered heterocycles, and its units can be found in many natural products (such as chlorophyll and vitamin B12) and biologically active drugs (e.g., atorvastatin and calcimycin). Owing to their electron-rich properties and multiple modifiable sites, pyrrole derivatives have been widely developed and used in various fields, including medicine and optoelectronic materials. For more than 10 years, we have been working on the development of multi-aryl pyrroles (MAPs) considering the characteristics of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) for biological diagnostic applications. Herein, the structural design of MAPs and their corresponding AIE properties were briefly introduced. Then, MAPs that emit across the full spectrum from ultraviolet–visible to near-infrared II wavelengths were summarized for their application in analyzing and detecting biological substances, bioimaging, and phototherapy. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of MAPs in advancing biomedicine, clinical diagnosis, and cancer treatment.