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Quinoline-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of physiological pH changes in aqueous solution and
Zhen Liu1, Guoping Li1, Yana Wang1
1The College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, PR China.
Abstract:
Herein, a novel quinoline-based fluorescent probe DQPH has been developed for ratiometric detection of subtle pH fluctuation in biosystem. Upon altering the pH from 4.50 to 9.00, the emission spectra exhibit a large hypsochromic shift (57 nm) and the ratio of fluorescence intensity (F531 nm/F588 nm) changes from 0.30 to 1.36 with an ideal pKa value of 7.18 and a linear pH variation range of 6.35-8.00. The ratiometric response is attributed to the protonation-activable resonance charge transfer (PARCT) process, which has been proved by 1H NMR and NOESY experiment. This probe displayed good solubility, low cytotoxicity, anti-interference capability and reversible pH sensing. Furthermore, DQPH was successfully applied for monitoring pH changes in living cells.
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