A mechanistically-distinct approach to fluorescence visualization of singlet oxygen

Abstract

We describe fluorescence detection of ¹O₂ by a new strategy. Oxidation of a non-fluorescent sulfoxide by ¹O₂ occurs via intramolecular oxygen atom transfer in a reactive persulfoxide intermediate. The resulting sulfone shows significantly enhanced (>50-fold) emission. This approach complements known methods, and is being extended to biological ¹O₂ imaging.