Ratiometric lysosome-targeting luminescent probe based on a coumarin-ruthenium(II) complex for formaldehyde detection and imaging in living cells and mouse brain tissues

Ratiometric luminescence probes have attracted widespread attention because of their self-calibration capability. However, some defects, such as small emission shift, severe spectral overlap and poor water solubility, limit their application in the field of biological imaging. In this study, a unique luminescence probe, Ru-COU, has been developed by combining tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex with coumarin derivative through a formaldehyde-responsive linker. The probe exhibited a large emission shift (Δλ > 100 nm) and good water solubility, achieving ratiometric emission responses at 505 nm and 610 nm toward formaldehyde under acidic conditions. Besides, ratiometric luminescence imaging of formaldehyde in living cells and Alzheimer disease mouse's brain slices demonstrates the potential value of Ru-COU for the diagnosis and treatment of formaldehyde related diseases.