Highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+ imaging in living cells

2-Hydroxybenzyl dansyl cadaverine (DNSCH) was designed as a fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+. DNSCH exhibited significant FL quenching with increasing concentrations of Fe3+. The presence of 15 M equiv of Fe3+ significantly quenched the FL intensity of DNSCH. The binding constant of DNSCH towards Fe3+ was determined and found to be 1.5 ± 0.4 × 10−4 M−1. DNSCH was employed as an intracellular chemosensor for Fe3+.

Graphical AbstractThe novel of this work is to synthesize 2-hydroxybenzyl dansyl cadaverine (DNSCH) as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+. Of all screened metals, DNSCH exhibited FL quenching upon the addition of Fe3+. DNSCH was found its bio-application as an intracellular chemosensor for Fe3+.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► A novel chemosensor based on 2-hydroxybenzyl dansyl cadaverine (DNSCH) is prepared and evaluated for its fluorescence response to heavy metal ions.
► DNSCH exhibits an “off-type” mode with high selectivity in the presence of Fe3+ ion.
► The addition of EDTA recovered the fluorescence of DNSCH·Fe3+ complex offers DNSCH as a reversible chemosensor.
► DNSCH is able to use as an intracellular chemosensor for Fe3+ ion.