A simple but effective near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe for hydrazine and its application in bioimaging

Abstract

A simple but effective near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe for hydrazine has been developed by a hybrid fluorophore of coumarin and benzopyrylium. The recognition mechanism involving spirocyclic ring-opening and −closing toward hydrazine is first reported. The probe showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward hydrazine with lower detection limit (1.5ppb) under single wavelength excitation. Upon addition of trace amounts of hydrazine, the probe showed a remarkable ratiometric change in the absorption (Δλ=167nm) and emission (Δλ=201nm) spectra and a color change from green to yellow. Furthermore, the probe-loaded TLC plates were made to detect vapor of hydrazine by naked eyes. Moreover, this ratiometric probe was successfully used for the imaging of hydrazine in fetal bovine serum and living cells.