A reversible and selective luminescent probe for Cu2+ detection based on a ruthenium(II) complex in aqueous solution

A turn-off luminescent probe RuHPIP for Cu2+ detection in aqueous solution has been developed through reversible and selective complexation. Cu2+ can specifically bind with the ligand of 2-hydroxyphenyl imidazo in the RuHPIP structure and induce luminescence quenching of the sensor instantaneously under a physiological environment. The probe enabled rapid and reversible detection of Cu2+ with detection limit of 7.23 × 10−8 M, and it can image Cu2+ in live pea aphids.