Synthesis of a new highly sensitive near-infrared fluorescent iridium(III) probe and its application for the highly selective detection of glutathione

A new near-infrared fluorescent probe 1 based on the IR 780 skeleton was designed, synthesized and structurally characterized for the development of a chemosensor. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies show that probe 1 exhibits a high selectivity and sensitivity towards iridium(III) in an EtOH/H2O (1 : 4, v/v, pH 7.4, HEPES buffer, 1 mM) solution by forming a 1 : 1 complex with iridium(III). Experimental results further demonstrate that the probe 1-iridium(III) complex also has excellent application for the highly selective detection of glutathione.