A simple fluorescent probe for the fast sequential detection of copper and biothiols based on a benzothiazole derivative

摘要

AbstractA simple benzothiazole fluorescent chemosensor was developed for the fast sequential detection of Cu2+and biothiols through modulating the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The compound1exhibits highly selective and sensitive fluorescence “on-off” recognition to Cu2+with a 1:1 binding stoichiometry by ESIPT hinder. The in situ generated1-Cu2+complex can serve as an “on-off” fluorescent probe for high selectivity toward biothiols via Cu2+displacement approach, which exerts ESIPT recovery. It is worth pointing out that the1-Cu2+complex shows faster for cysteins (within 1min) than other biothiols such as homocysteine (25min) and glutathione (25min). Moreover, the compound1displays 160nm Stoke-shift for reversibly monitoring Cu2+and biothiols. In addition, the probe is successfully used for fluorescent cellular imaging. This strategy via modulation the ESIPT state has been used for determination of Cu2+and Cys with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.Graphical Abstract