A mitochondria-targeted rhodol fluorescent probe for imaging of hydrogen peroxide in living cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a main member of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells that has a significant impact on various physiological and pathological processes of organisms. Here, we designed and synthesized a new type of fluorescent probe Rhodol-OAc for the specific detection of H₂O₂. The probe had good water solubility, high selectivity and sensitivity to H₂O₂, low cytotoxicity, excellent mitochondrial targeting ability, etc. It was successfully applied in the imaging of exogenous and endogenous H₂O₂ in living cells. In addition, theoretical calculations were carried out to clarify the luminescence mechanism of the probe. More importantly, we successfully applied the probe to indirectly detect xanthine and glucose, the metabolism of which generates H₂O₂, and achieved satisfactory results.