Nitroolefin-based BODIPY as a novel water-soluble ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of endogenous thiols

A novel BODOPY-nitroolefin based ratiometric fluorescent probe namely BDP-NO2 has been prepared by integrating the BODIPY fluorophore with nitroolefin moiety through succinct reaction. The BDP-NO2 possesses excellent water-soluble and displays unique selectivity toward thiols over other amino acids. Importantly, the BDP-NO2 is cellmembrane-permeable and low cytotoxic can be employed for the ratiometric fluorescent imaging of thiols in living A549 cells.112