Multiple Applications of a Novel Fluorescence Probe with Large Stokes Shift and Sensitivity for Rapid H₂S Detection

Herein, a novel fluorescence probe Fla-DNP based on flavonol has been designed and synthesized for rapid, specific detection of H₂S. With the addition of H₂S, Fla-DNP triggered thiolysis and released Fla displaying the "turn-on" fluorescence response at 566 nm, which is consistent with the reaction site predicted by calculating Electrostatic potential and ADCH charges. As an easily available H₂S probe, Fla-DNP has the advantages of high selectivity, anti-interference, low detection limit (0.834 μM), short response time (6 min), and large Stokes shift (124 nm). The sensing mechanism of H₂S was determined by HRMS analysis and DFT calculation. Moreover, Fla-DNP processes a wide range of multiple applications, including the detection of H₂S in environmental water samples with good recovery rates ranging from 89.6% to 102.0%, as well as tracking the production of H₂S during food spoilage. Meanwhile, the probe exhibits superior biocompatibility and can not only be available used for H₂S detection in living cells but be further designed as an H₂S-activated CO photoreleaser, based on which it can be developed as a targeted anti-cancer drug.