Colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent detection of bisulfite by a new HBT-hemicyanine hybrid

• A new colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for bisulfite was reported.
• This probe is based on a novel HBT-hemicyanine hybrid and shows high selectivity and sensitivity for bisulfite.
• The probe can be used to quantitatively detect bisulfite in real food samples.
• Fluorescent imaging of bisulfite in living cells by this probe was also successfully applied.

A novel HBT-hemicyanine hybrid was prepared. This hybrid not only displays a large red-shifted (Δλ = 125 nm) emission compared to the well known ESIPT dye HBT, but also can be used as a new probe for rapid, colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent detection of bisulfite with high selectivity and sensitivity in aqueous solution. The detection limit of this probe for HSO3− was calculated to be about 56 nM with a linear range of 0–25 μM. The potential application of this probe was exampled by detection of bisulfite in real food samples and living cells. Overall, this work not only provided a new ratiometric sensing platform, but also provided a new promising colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for bisulfite.

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