Phenanthroline-fluorescein molecular hybrid as a ratiometric and selective fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ via FRET strategy: synthesis, computational studies and in vitro applications

Abstract

A FRET-based chemosensor L containing donor phenanthroline and acceptor fluorescein moiety was designed, synthesised and characterised for the ratiometric fluorescent detection of Cu2+ in organo-aqueous solution. Probe L showed high selectivity and excellent sensitivity towards Cu2+ ions by exhibiting both colorimetric and fluorometric changes due to opening of the spirolactum ring of fluorescein upon complexation with Cu2+. In presence of Cu2+ ions, probe L formed L-Cu2+ complex in 1:1 stoichiometric fashion which is established on the basis of Job’s plot and mass spectroscopy. We also performed DFT computational studies to know the binding nature and coordination feature of the complex. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging studies revealed that probe L was cell permeable and could be used to detect intracellular Cu2+ in living cells.