A New Thiosemicarbazone-Based Fluorescence 'Turn-on' Sensor for Zn2+ Recognition with a Large Stokes Shift and its Application in Live Cell Imaging

摘要

Selective fluorescence turn on Zn2+ sensor with long-wavelength emission and a large Stokes shift is highly desirable in Zn2+ sensing area. We reported herein the synthesis and Zn2+ recognition properties of a new thiosemicarbazone-based fluorescent sensor L. L displays high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn2+ over other metal ions in DMSO-H2O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 10 mM, pH = 7.4) solution with a long-wavelength emission at 572 nm and a large Stokes shift of 222 nm. Confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that L is cell-permeable and capable of monitoring intracellular Zn2+.