Photoswitchable spiropyran molecules for specific sensing of thiols and fluorescent inks

Abstract

Photoswitchable molecules are intriguing photoactive particles with excellent adjustable capabilities, which provide a promising platform as smart materials for a wide range of applications. In this work, an intelligent spiropyran-based fluorescent probe (SP1) with remarkable photoswitching performance and superior luminescence properties was developed. The probe presents unique fluorescence changes in response to external stimuli of photo and heat through an exceptional reversible luminescence modulation ability between spiropyran structures and merocyanine forms, which endows it with great potential and reliability for advanced anti-counterfeiting printing. More interestingly, the fluorescence of the probe can be specifically irreversibly quenched by thiols within a short time without any obvious interference caused by common coexistent ions. This impressive advantage not only plays a crucial role in message encryption and decryption, but also ensures the successful application of sensing and imaging of thiols in intricate biological systems and processes, which is meaningful and significant for the early diagnosis of diseases and disorders related to biological thiols of GSH, Cys and Hcy.