Tetraphenylethylene with electron withdrawing pyridinium cations and cyano groups were designed and synthesized. Cyanoprobe 2 has a typical Aggregate Induced Emission effect under physiological conditions, while cation probe 1 cannot aggregate luminescence due to its higher hydrophilicity. When interacting with aromatase, probe 1 showed obvious fluorescence change, but probe 2 did not. Under the same conditions, or even under the interference of various factors, probe 1 can recognize aromatase with high sensitivity. Probe 1 can rapidly light up aromatase-expressing cells. Probe 1 have the properties of aromatase inhibitors, which can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The design ideas of cationic AIE fluorescent probes in this paper are expected to be applied to other targets. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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