For the first time, a facile solvothermal method to synthesize COFs with a nanosized structure and bright fluorescence was reported to monitor drug loading with the naked eye and realize responsive release.

Six N-phenylcarbazole/triphenylamine modified half-sandwiched iridium(III) Schiff base compounds ([(η⁵-Cp^x)Ir(N^N)Cl]PF₆) were synthesised and characterised in this study. The regulation and introduction of Schiff bases increased the antitumor activity of these compounds (IC₅₀: 1.4 ± 0.1 μM–11.5 ± 0.5 μM). The highest antitumor activity exhibited by these compounds was nearly 13 times that of clinical cisplatin. Interestingly, these compounds could also effectively block the migration of cancer cells. These compounds were observed to bind to proteins (binding constant: ∼10⁴ M⁻¹) and transport through serum protein, catalyse the oxidation of the coenzyme nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, and increase reactive oxygen species levels in cells, which resulted in an antitumor mechanism of oxidation. Laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies confirmed that these compounds possessed an energy-dependent cellular uptake mechanism, effectively accumulated in lysosomes (Pearson co-localization coefficient: ∼0.75), damaged the integrity of acidic lysosomes, disrupted the cell cycle, induced a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, and eventually led to apoptosis. All these findings suggest that these compounds are potential antitumor agents with dual functions: metastasis inhibition and lysosomal damage.

With the dramatic development of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the device lifetime has attracted extensive research interest and concern. To enhance device durability, developing dopant-free hole-transporting materials (HTMs) with a high performance is a promising strategy. Herein, three new HTMs with a N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-di(m-tolyl)benzidine (TPD) core: TPD-4MeTPA, TPD-4MeOTPA and TPD-4EtCz are designed and synthesized, showing suitable energy levels and excellent film-formation properties. PCEs of 15.28% were achieved based on pristine TPD-4MeOTPA as the HTM, which is a little lower than that of the p-doped 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis-(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD)-based device (17.26%). Importantly, the devices based on the new HTMs show relatively improved stability compared to devices based on spiro-OMeTAD when aged under ambient air with 30% relative humidity in the dark.