A visible light excitable pyrene–naphthalene conjugate for ON fluorescence sensing of histidine in living cells†
Abstract
Pyrene appended naphthalene derivative, NEDAP can selectively detect histidine via inter-molecular H-bond assisted molecular ring formation that imparts rigidity to the molecular assembly to inhibit the TICT (Twisted Intra-molecular Charge Transfer) process leading to fluorescence enhancement. 1H NMR titration, mass spectra and DFT (Density Functional Theory) studies nicely demonstrate this sensing process. Visible light excitation favours the living cell imaging as low as 0.01 μM histidine.