Al3+ selective colorimetric and fluorescent red shifting chemosensor: application in living cell imaging

We report the development of a fluorescent probe based on the benzothiazole unit to monitor intracellular Al(3+) levels in living cells. The fluorescent probe exhibits a fluorescence response towards Al(3+) under physiological conditions with high sensitivity and selectivity and even facilitates naked-eye detection of Al(3+). The fluorescence intensity was significantly quenched with red shifting upon addition of 0.5 equiv. of Al(3+). The simple and cost effective receptor avails rapid detection of Al(3+) ions at concentrations as low as 0.42 μM and is expected to be effective for the design of efficient biological sensor.