A thiocoumarin-based fluorescent probe for detection of hypochlorite with high selectivity over other typical desulfurizing agents (Hg2+/Ag+)

A thiocoumarin dye, Probe 1, has been developed for the detection of hypochlorite anion (ClO-) via the desulfurization of thiocoumarin. The heavy atom effect efficiently quenched the fluorescence of Probe 1. Upon the addition of ClO-, Probe 1 was instantaneously oxidized into its oxo form, resulting in a strong yellow fluorescence with an emission maximum at 552 nm and a large Stokes shift (141 nm). This probe exhibited excellent selectivity toward ClO- over other reactive oxygen species, common metal ions and anions. Gratifyingly, the typical desulfurizing agents such as Hg2+ and Ag+ had little interfering effect on the behavior of Probe 1 for the detection of ClO-. This probe dispalyed a low detection limit (1.7 x 10(-7) M). Importantly, the application of this probe for the detection of endogenous ClO- in living cells had been successfully demonstrated. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.