An active ESIPT based molecular sensor aided with sulfonate ester moiety to track the presence of H2S analyte in realistic samples and HeLa cells

Abstract

An integrated selective probe CNS (E)-2-(((9-octyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)imino)methyl)naphthalen-1-yl-2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonate) possessing active sulfonate ester moiety was successfully designed. The probe CNS owns a greater potent over H2S analyte even in the presence of other competing analytes with its excellent spectral performances like excellent absorbance and emission properties. In addition, the probe CNS detects and quantifies H2S analyte up to the concentration of 7.40 × 10−10 M and 2.4 × 10−9 M with the response time of 60 s (1 min) based on active ESIPT process. Moreover, the probe CNS was utilized towards the environmental and biological monitoring of H2S.