Photoactive Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) Functionalized with Phospholipid Units for Control and Visualization of Delivery into Living Cells

To take advantage of the excellent optical properties of conjugated polymers (CPs) or conjugated oligomers (COs) for biological applications, there is still a requirement to find new ways to deliver these conjugated molecular materials into cells in a facile, controllable, and noninvasive manner. Herein, a photoactive oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) derivative was covalently attached with phospholipid units (OPV–lipid) to enhance its dispersion in water and facilitate its internalization by cells. OPV–lipid could be delivered into either the cell membrane or cytoplasm controllably through the assistance of liposomes with different formulas. It could also act as a fluorescent probe for cell imaging and visualization of the delivery process. This work shows a good potential for delivering functional conjugated molecular materials into cells in a controllable way