Assembly of indole fluorophore in situ for hydrogen sulfide signaling through substrate triggered intramolecular reduction–cyclization cascade: a sensitive and selective probe in aqueous solution

Abstract

A novel probe containing the azide–coumarin–aldehyde triad (S1) for hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was developed. The fluorophore for signaling is assembled in situ through a H₂S triggered intramolecular reduction–cyclization cascade, and has a concomitant 10-fold enhancement of the fluorescent intensity at 520 nm. Fluorescence imaging of H₂S in living cells proved its potential for biological application.