Fluorescent turn-on probes for the detection of fluoride ions in organic solvent and in cells

Abstract

We have successfully developed two coumarin-based fluorescent probes to detect F⁻in vitro. Probe 1 is lipophilic for organic soluted detection. Probe 2 is an amphipathic molecule due to its TBDPS and triphenyl-phosphine groups for both mitochondrial localization and fluoride ion detection. Both of the two probes have good selectivity in F⁻ detection; the detection limit of probe 2 was as low as 670 nM. Probe 2 has good fluorescence enhancement in response to F⁻ in cell imaging. The probes are lowly cytotoxic to cells.