RGD-decorated conjugated polymer particles as fluorescent biomedical probes prepared by Sonogashira dispersion polymerization.

Here, we present a facile one-step Sonogashira dispersion polymerization affording monodisperse conjugated polymer particles bearing accessible acetylene moieties on the surface. These acetylene groups are easily functionalized with biological recognition motifs using thiol-yne click chemistry. The resulting functional particles are applied as fluorescent probes for imaging of activated endothelial cells, which take up the particles via receptor mediated endocytosis.