Rhodamine-based chemosensor for Sn²⁺ detection and its application in nanofibrous film and bioimaging

A simple rhodamine-based compound CK was designed and synthesized as a fluorescent chemosensor for Sn²⁺ based on Sn²⁺-mediated cyclization. The optical investigation indicated that the probe could quantitatively detect Sn²⁺ in a concentration range of 10-30 μM, with a detection limit of 118 nM. Moreover, probe CK, with low cytotoxicity, was successfully applied for imaging of Sn²⁺ in HeLa cells and mice, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility and cell membrane permeability. For on-site monitoring, CK-hybridized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and successfully employed for the visual detection of Sn²⁺ in actual samples. All the results demonstrated that the chemosensor could be a promising tool for the detection of Sn²⁺ in vitro and in vivo.