A novel 3-hydroxychromone fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide based on an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a signaling gasotransmitter that plays important roles in modulating the functions of different systems. We have designed and synthesized a 3-hydroxychromone-based fluorescent probe A for H₂S detection. Probe A is based on a H₂S-induced thiolysis reaction and an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The probe shows high selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of H₂S over glutathione, cysteine and homocysteine. Moreover, this probe was successfully applied for imaging exogenous and endogenous H₂S in living cells.