A BODIPY-based reactive probe for the detection of Au(iii) species and its application to cell imaging

Abstract

A BODIPY-based fluorescent probe bearing a pyridyl hydrazone motif responds selectively to Au(III) ions through an irreversible C[double bond, length as m-dash]N bond hydrolysis reaction.

Gold species, besides their ability to catalyse chemical transformations in organic synthesis,1 have significant impacts on human health.2,3 Gold-based drugs have long been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.2 At the same time, when accumulated in the biological system at certain concentrations, gold species have the potential to disturb a series of cellular processes by irreversible interaction with biomolecules.3 In recent years, fluorescence-based sensing has become an indispensable tool for sensitive and accurate detection of trace levels of metal species in the solution.4 In addition, with the aid of fluorescence microscopy it has become possible to track metal species in living cells, which is of crucial importance for elucidating their roles in the biological system.