An isophorone-based far-red emitting ratiometric fluorescent probe for selective sensing and imaging of polysulfides

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that as members of the reactive sulfur species family and the oxidized forms of H₂S, hydrogen polysulfides (H₂S_n) play important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, accurate detection of H₂S_n levels in living systems is of great significance. In this study, we report an isophorone-based far-red emitting fluorescent probe (RPHS1) for selective ratiometric sensing and imaging of H₂S_n. RPHS1 shows specific ratiometric response towards H₂S_n with fast reaction rate and low detection limit in aqueous media. Furthermore, confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that RPHS1 can be applied for H₂S_n imaging in living cells.