A New Phenylazo-Based Fluorescent Probe for Sensitive Detection of Hypochlorous Acid in Aqueous Solution

In this paper, we designed and synthesized a novel phenylazo-based fluorescent probe (RHN) for the sensing and imaging of hypochlorous acid (HClO) in mitochondria in living cells. In this process, HClO promoted the oxidation of the phenylazo group to generate a free Rhodol fluorophore moiety, which in turn restored strong fluorescence and realized the detection of HClO. As expected, RHN exhibited high selectivity, high sensitivity and rapid response, with detection limits as low as 22 nM (1.155 ng/mL). Importantly, the results of the cell imaging experiments indicated that RHN has the ability to image and sense HClO in mitochondria, which is of great significance for exploration of the specific role of HClO in both the immune system and diseases.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel fluorescent probe RHN was designed and synthesized for the sensing and imaging of HClO in mitochondria in living cells. RHN showed high selectivity, sensitivity, and rapid response, with detection limits as low as 22 nM. The cell imaging experiments demonstrated that RHN has the ability to detect and image HClO in mitochondria, which is significant for exploring the specific role of HClO in the immune system and diseases.