Julolidine-based fluorescent molecular rotor: a versatile tool for sensing and diagnosis

Fluorescent molecular rotors incorporating julolidine have found diverse applications in various fields. Recently, researchers have explored their utility in polymerization, metal ion detection, self-assembly, aggregation, and detection of proteins and nucleic acids. These julolidine-based molecular rotors primarily serve as fluorescent turn-on probes, showcasing their effectiveness in sensing local environmental properties such as polarity, pH, viscosity, protein folding, and misfolding. This comprehensive review covers an array of julolidine-based fluorescent molecular rotors, along with their pertinent uses in the field of biological research and monitoring changes in the microenvironment through solvent dielectric constant, viscosity, self-assembled polymers, and submicrometer-sized membrane-bound compartments in live cellular systems. The discourse supports ongoing research concerning their diverse applications and provides a forward-looking perspective on their potential advancements.