A novel fluorescein-coumarin-based fluorescent probe for fluoride ions and its applications in imaging of living cells and zebrafish in vivo

摘要

A novel fluorescent probe (Flu-Si) based on fluorescein and coumarin fluorophores for highly selective and sensitive detection of F−was successfully developed. It was shown that the mechanism of recognition involves a desilylation reaction that takes place after addition of F−anions. A linear relationship between the ratio of emission intensities at 532 and 465 nm (I532/I465) and F−concentration over the range of 0–20 μmol L−1with a LOD of 0.025 μmol L−1was found. The sensing mechanism of Flu-Si with F−was confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Flu-Si is an efficient fluorescent probe for F−anions in living cells and zebrafish, indicating its sensing potential in clinical diagnosis.