Dinitrobenzene ether reactive turn-on fluorescence probes for the selective detection of H2S

Two novel fluorescent probes, namely, 3-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)-2-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (P1) and 3-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)-2-(pyren-1-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (P2), were designed and synthesized here. The probes (P1 and P2) were found to be highly selective and sensitive toward hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the presence of a wide range of anions. The new probes (P1 and P2) were fully characterized by analytical, NMR spectroscopy (H-1 and C-13), and ESI mass spectrometry. The sensing capability of chemodosimeters (P1 and P2) toward H2S was confirmed by fluorescence studies. The 'turn-on' fluorescence was used to calculate the detection limit of probes (LOD), which were found to be 2.4 and 1.2 mu M for P1 and P2, respectively. Moreover, the probes were tested for their cytotoxicity against HeLa cells using the MTT assay and found to be non-cytotoxic in nature; hence, the probes P1 and P2 were successfully utilized to visualize H2S in the living cells.

Automated summary

Two novel fluorescent probes, P1 and P2, were designed and synthesized to selectively and sensitively detect hydrogen sulfide. These probes were fully characterized and confirmed to have detection limits of 2.4 and 1.2 μM for P1 and P2, respectively. Additionally, the probes showed no cytotoxicity and were successfully utilized for visualizing H2S in living cells.