A highly selective turn-on near-infrared fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide detection and imaging in living cells

Abstract

We have described a turn-on near-infrared fluorescent probe Cy–NO₂ based on nitro group reduction for intracellular H₂S detection. The probe employs cyanine dye as a fluorophore, and is equipped with a nitro group as a fluorescent modulator. It is readily employed for assessing intracellular H₂S level changes, and confocal imaging is achieved successfully.