Selective sensing of lysosomal iron(III) via three-component fluorescence-based strategy in living cells

Iron-rich lysosomal compartment causes a significant amount of cellular damage. A lysosome targetable, pH sensitive fluorescent chemosensor based on naphthalimide dye containing a catechol and morpholine moiety has been synthesized, which selectively senses lysosomal Fe(III) with the detection limit of 0.5 ppm. The probe has also been employed for real-time monitoring of lysosomal Fe(III) via live-cell fluorescence imaging. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.