Carbazole-based chemosensor for highly sensitive and selective bioimaging identification of hydrazine in multiple model systems via ratiometric and colorimetric

Abstract

Hydrazine (N2H4) is a widely used propellent in spacecraft propulsion, a chemical catalyst, a common precursor to several pharmaceuticals, and a big threat to human and animal health. Overexposure to it can cause a series of diseases, which underlies the importance of developing an effective probe for monitoring its levels. Herein, a carbazole-based novel ratiometric and colorimetric chemosensor, PCC-EC, was successfully developed and well-characterized. PCC-EC has demonstrated ratiometric blue-shifted fluorescent response to hydrazine, which induced naked-eye color and fluorescent color change, respectively. Besides, PCC-EC realized a highly sensitive and selective response to hydrazine in multiple model systems ranging from aqueous solutions, water samples, zebrafish, and mung bean sprouts, even imaging in choroidal melanoma cells of the human eye cells with a rapid response, good cell/tissue permeability, low cytotoxicity, and a wide pH-working range. We also created a simple paper strip system to facilitate the quick detection of hydrazine. The sensing mechanism of PCC-EC has been explored by DFT calculations and mass spectrometry. Overall, PCC-EC employs a rarely-reported strategy in sensing hydrazine and its successful application in multiple biological and environmental systems highlights its good application potential in the future.