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Abstract

Chemiluminescent compounds that can be activated by reaction with chemical or photochemical sources of singlet oxygen are provided. At certain temperatures, such as from approximately 15 to 60° C., the compounds slowly return to their deactivated state by emitting visible and/or infrared light that is observable with various types of light detectors. Suitable conjugates of these compounds, or small particles containing these compounds, may be used for chemiluminescence imaging and sensing technologies. In particular, embodiments provide optical molecular imaging using novel squaraine rotaxane endoperoxides (SREPs) and squaraine catenane endoperoxides (SCEPs), interlocked fluorescent and chemiluminescent dye molecules that have a squaraine chromophore encapsulated inside a macrocycle endoperoxide. The dyes may be stored at low temperature, such as below 0° C., but, upon warming above 15° C., such as to body temperature, they undergo a unimolecular cycloreversion reaction that releases singlet oxygen and emits visible or near-infrared light that can pass through living tissue. The chemiluminescent signal is detectable with inherently high contrast because there is negligible background emission.

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First Claim