Highly selective, sensitive and naked-eye fluorescence probes for the direct detection of hypochlorite anion and their application in biological environments

Abstract

Two novel rhodamine B-based fluorescent probes RBT and RBP for the hypochlorite anion (ClO−) were designed, synthesized, and characterized. They exhibited highly selective and sensitive recognition toward ClO− over other metal ions, nonmetal ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and special oxidants in ethanol-water (4/6, v/v, 20mmol/L HEPES, pH 7.0) media in the fluorescence and UV–vis spectra. Cytotoxicity and bioimaging studies by L929 cells and living mice indicated that the probes were low cytotoxicity, cell permeable and suitable for detecting ClO− in biological environments.