Ultrafast fluorescent probe with near-infrared analytical wavelength for fluoride ion detection in real samples

The first ultrafast fluorescence probe with response time in seconds (10 s) for fluoride ions (F-) has been proposed by conjugating dimethylthiophosphoryl group as a recognition unit with the near-infrared fluorophore of hemicyanine. The response mechanism is the F--induced cleavage of the dimethylthiophosphoryl group, along with the liberation of the fluorophore, which results in a distinctly enhanced fluorescence intensity at 730 nm (lambda(ex) = 680 nm). The fluorescence enhancement of the probe is directly proportional to the F- concentration in the range of 10-300 mu M with the detection limit of 4.28 mu M. The probe has been successfully used to determine F- concentration in real water and toothpaste samples as well as image F- in living cells. The simplicity and quick response of this probe endow it with the ability of detecting F- rapidly in real samples. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study introduces a ultrafast fluorescence probe with response time in seconds for detecting fluoride ions, which is directly proportional to the F- concentration in the real samples and offers a rapid detection of F-.