ESIPT-Based Nanomolar Zn~(2+) Sensor for Human Breast Cancer Cell (MCF7) Imaging

摘要

A single crystal X-ray structurally characterized probe (L), derived from 2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1-ol and 2-hydroxy-1- napthaldehyde selectively recognizes nano-molar Zn~(2+) both by fluorescence and colorimetric method. Inhibition of excitedstate intra-molecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and -CH=N isomerization along with chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) collectively contribute to Zn~(2+) recognition. L exhibits excellent sensitivity (2310~(-9) M) and selectivity for Zn~(2+) in aqueous DMSO (1:1, v/v) media and useful for intra-cellular Zn~(2+) imaging in human breast cancer cells (MCF7).