A highly sensitive fluorescent probe for hydrazine detection: synthesis, characterisation and application in living cells

A new fluorescent probe HSL-AI derived from imidazo [1,5- a]pyridine was synthesised for the detection of hydrazine (N2H4) based on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). HSL-AI was designed using acetyl group as the recognition site and exhibited high selectivity towards N2H4 with a low limit of detection (2.56 ppb). Moreover, HSL-AI was successfully applied to detect N2H4 in living cells.

Automated summary

HSL-AI, a new fluorescent probe derived from imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, utilizes excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) for the detection of hydrazine (N2H4). With acetyl group as the recognition site, HSL-AI shows high selectivity towards N2H4 with a low detection limit of 2.56 ppb, and has been successfully applied for N2H4 detection in living cells.