A fluorescent probe capable of detecting H2S at submicromolar concentrations in cells

A new internal charge transfer (ICT) fluorescent probe for highly selective and sensitive monitoring of H2S has been developed. The design takes advantage of the facile reduction of non-fluorescent hydroxyamine naphthalimide by H2S to highly fluorescent amine naphthalimide. It has been demonstrated that the probe is able to detect H2S at submicromolar concentrations in cells.