Formation of Lanthanide Luminescent Aggregates With RNA Using Tripodal Europium [Eu(III)] BTA Self-Assembled Complexes.

A terpyridine-appended β-peptide and its tripodal benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) derivative formed luminescent Eu(III) self-assembled materials, showing significant enhanced metal ion centered emission upon torula yeast RNA binding in buffered pH 7 HEPES solution due to the formation of luminescent aggregates as probed by using imaging platforms; attributed to changes in the water coordination environment of the Eu(III) center upon binding to the phosphate di-ester backbone of the RNA.