A colorimetric and fluorescent probe for thiols based on 1, 8-naphthalimide and its application for bioimaging

• A new turn-on colorimetric and fluorescent probe has been synthesized.
• The probe exhibits highly sensitivity and selectivity toward the biothiols.
• The probe features fast signal response and excitation in the visible region.
• Fluorescence imaging of cells for thiols in vivo was carried out successfully.

A new highly sensitive 1, 8-naphthalimide-based compound (probe 1) has been designed and synthesized. The colorimetric and fluorescent properties of probe 1 towards various amino acids were investigated in detail. Specific colorimetry and fluorescence response of probe 1 for thiols were found in PBS buffer solution, which can be deduced to a reaction of thio-promoted conjugate addition/cyclization sequence between probe 1 and thiols. The probe 1 can selectively recognize cysteine rather than other natural amino acids in aqueous solution with a rapid response time. Con-focal fluorescence imaging of cells for detecting thiols in vivo was carried out successfully.

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