Rhodamine based sensor for naked-eye detection and live cell imaging of fluoride ions

A rhodamine based highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent probe for fluoride has been designed and synthesized. The fluorescent change is attributed to the fluoride triggered spirolactam ring opening which is augmented by density functional theory calculations and H-1 NMR titrations. The sensor has been shown to be feasible for real sample analysis, and imaging of fluoride ions in the HeLa cells.