Colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of cysteine: Unexpected Michael addition–elimination reaction

The synthesis of three isomers based on Michael addition mechanism for the detection of sulfur-containing species in aqueous solution is described. These compounds are constructed by conjugating an enone to a coumarin fluorophore. A substituted-phenyl (o, m, or p-) was appended at the carbonyl carbon to adjust the reactivity. The experimental results showed that (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (m-QPS) and (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (p-QPS) barely react with sulfur-containing nucleophiles, while (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (o-QPS) exhibited a fast response toward sulfite, sulfide and thiols in DMSO/phosphate buffer (2:1). The above results are probably due to the intramolecular H-bonding activated Michael addition. More interestingly, cysteine triggered unusual photophysical responses of o-QPS: the original absorption (488 nm) and emission peaks (573 nm) underwent significant blue shifts initially and then recovered, which might be caused by the Michael addition and elimination reaction, respectively.

Graphical abstractA fluorescent probe for discrimination of cysteine over other sulfur-containing species is developed based on Michael addition–elimination reaction.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide