A highly selective long-wavelength fluorescent probe for hydrazine and its application in living cell imaging

A highly selective long-wavelength turn-on fluorescent probe has been developed for the detection of N₂H₄. The probe was prepared by conjugation the tricyanofuran-based D-π-A system with a recognizing moiety of acetyl group. In the presence of N₂H₄, the probe can be effectively hydrazinolysized and produce a turn-on fluorescent emission at 610nm as well as a large red-shift in the absorption spectrum corresponding to a color change from yellow to blue. The sensing mechanism was confirmed by HPLC, MS, UV-vis, emission spectroscopic and theoretical calculation studies. The probe displayed high selectivity and sensitivity for N₂H₄ with a LOD (limit of detection) of 0.16μM. Moreover, the probe was successfully utilized for the detection of hydrazine in living cells.