A Phenanthrenequinone-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Rapid Detection of Peroxynitrite with Imaging in...

In the current situation, peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) is drawing the increasing attention of researchers for its pivotal role in diverse pathological and physiological processes on grounds of robust oxidation and nitrification. Herein, we have successfully designed and synthesized a phenanthrenequinone benzyl borate-based chemosensor for fast and selective detection of ONOO^-. The probe PTDP itself had an orange fluorescence, which was changed to strong blue fluorescence upon the addition of ONOO^-, indicating the ratiometric response of the probe. This is so because of the cleavage of the benzyl boronate-protecting group of PTDP upon the addition of ONOO^- with simultaneous releasing of pyridinyl-based chemosensor PPI. The PTDP showed outstanding performance in the various photophysical studies such as good selectivity, excellent sensitivity with a very low detection limit of 2.74 nM, and a very fast response time (<15 s). Furthermore, for practical applicability, it was successfully applied in the ratiometric detection of ONOO^- in osteoblast precursor cells.