Design, Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Response AIE Fluorescence Probes Based on Imidazo [1,2-a] Pyridine

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a significant member of reactive oxygen species, plays a crucial role in oxidative stress and cell signaling. Abnormal levels of H₂O₂ in the body can induce damage or even impair body function, leading to the development of certain diseases. Therefore, real-time monitoring of H₂O₂ in living cells is very important. In this work, the aggregation-induced emission fluorescence probe 2-(2-((4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl) benzyl) oxy) phenyl) imidazo [1,2-a] pyridine (B2) was designed and synthesized, which enables the long-term tracing of H₂O₂ in living cells. The addition of H₂O₂ to probe B2 results in a dramatic fluorescence enhancement around 500 nm. Notably, B2 can visualize both exogenous and endogenous H₂O₂ in living cells. The synthesis method for B2 is simple, has a high yield, and utilizes readily available materials. It exhibits advantages such as low toxicity, photostability, and good biocompatibility. Consequently, the developed fluorescent probe in this study has great potential as a reliable tool for determining H₂O₂ in living cells.