A new Schiff base fluorescent probe for imaging Cu2+ in living cells

A novel probe based on ferrocenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-containing Schiff base was synthesized by the reaction of 5-ferrocenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine and 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde, and characterized by IR, NMR, HRMS and X-ray analysis. UV-vis spectral and fluorescence property of the probe were investigated. The probe can be used to colorimetric sensitive and selective fluorescent recognition of Cu(2+) in buffer solution. Moreover, the probe can detect Cu(2+) by electrochemical method. Additionally, the Schiff base was successfully used as a selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for monitoring Cu(2+) ions in living cells.