Reduced glutathione-resisting 19F NMR sensors for detecting HNO

The F-19 NMR probes for the HNO detection are reported. We synthesized the probe molecules with the paramagnetic Cu(II) complex and fluorine atoms using a cubic silsesquioxane. By using the magnetism changes of the Cu(II) to Cu(I) in the complex by the reduction with HNO, the F-19 NMR signal intensities of the probe increased. Noteworthily, our probes have superior resistance to reduced glutathione which is the major intracellular molecule to maintain the reductive environment and the competitor in the reduction of Cu(II) against HNO. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.