A sensitive and selective fluorescence probe for detection of hypochlorite (OCl-) and its bioimaging in live cells.

Abstract

A novel indolium-based fluorescent probe (probe 1) for the recognition and detection of hypochlorite (OCl-) has been explored via a double oxidation reaction mechanism. Probe 1 exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity for OCl- over other analytes, and with a detection limit of 0.11 μM. Meanwhile, probe 1 showed fast response toward OCl- in less than 3 min with obvious changes in color, which could be observed by naked eye. Moreover, fluorescence imaging experiments by using Eca109 cells were performed utilizing the new probe, demonstrating its practical applications in living cells.