Highly selective, sensitive and naked-eye fluorescence probes for the direct detection of hypochlorite anion and their application in biological environments

Two novel rhodamine B-based fluorescent probes RBT and RBP for the hypochlorite anion (ClO−) were designed, synthesized, and characterized. They exhibited highly selective and sensitive recognition toward ClO− over other metal ions, nonmetal ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and special oxidants in ethanol-water (4/6, v/v, 20 mmol/L HEPES, pH 7.0) media in the fluorescence and UV-vis spectra. Cytotoxicity and bioimaging studies by L929 cells and living mice indicated that the probes were low cytotoxicity, cell permeable and suitable for detecting ClO− in biological environments.