A turn-on fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an important endogenous signalling molecule in cellular physiology and pathology. Accordingly, sensitive, selective and reliable methods for H₂S detection are in high demand. Fluorescence-based methods thus have received great attentions in recent years. Herein we describe the design, synthesis and application of a probe for H₂S detection based on the reduction of azide to amine. This probe is highly sensitive and selective toward H₂S over biothiols and other biologically relevant species. Finally, the probe was successfully applied for H₂S fluorescent imaging in living cells.