A dual-responsive fluorescent probe for detection of fluoride ion and hydrazine based on test strips

Hydrazine (N₂H₄) and fluoride ion (F^-) are regarded as environmental pollutants and potential carcinogens. A dual-functional fluorescent probe (probe 1) was developed for both F^- and N₂H₄ with high selectivity and sensitivity. 1 was based on nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction for N₂H₄ detection and selective cleavage of 4-nitrobenzenesulphonyl group for the determination of F^-. The limits of detection of probe for F^- and N₂H₄ were 77.82 nM and 29.34 nM, respectively, which are far below the threshold limit value (TLV) of United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The home-made test strips of 1 provided the positive tool for F^- and gaseous N₂H₄ in different system. And the confocal fluorescence images indicated that 1 can quantitatively detect N₂H₄ in living PC12 cells. Promisingly, 1 has great prospects for N₂H₄ imaging and determining in living system.