A colorimetric and far-red fluorescent probe for the highly sensitive detection of silver(i)

Abstract

Herein, a potential colorimetric and far-red fluorescent probe DCPS-1 for Ag⁺ was rationally developed based on a dicyanomethylene-4H-chromene chromophore. Its prominent and distinct changes in both color and fluorescence enable the on-site and naked-eye detection of Ag⁺ easily and quickly, accompanied with excellent sensitivity. No absorption and fluorescence response could be observed towards other metal ions. The fluorescence intensity of this probe showed a linear response to Ag⁺ in the concentration range of 0–10 μM with a detection limit of 21.1 nM. In addition, this probe had low toxicity to cells and gave distinct fluorescence changes in cell imaging. All these results demonstrate its promising application prospects for Ag⁺ sensing in both environmental and biology fields.