Development of a potassium ion-selective fluorescent sensor based on 3-styrylated BODIPY

We have developed a red-emitting fluorescent K+ probe, B3TAC, which also shows a wavelength shift upon binding to K+. The probe was synthesized by conjugating a cryptand-based chelator, 2-triazacryptand [2,2,3]-1-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzene (TAC), to position 3 of the BODIPY fluorophore through a styryl linker. In water–acetonitrile mixed solvent, it responded to K+ in the physiological concentration range with high selectivity over Na+ and other metal ions. B3TAC is potentially useful for measuring cellular K+ ion concentration, as well as for simple, naked-eye detection of K+ in solution.

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