A Naked-Eye Fluorescent Probe for the Selective Detection of Hydrazine in Environmental and Biological Samples

Monitoring the hydrazine (N₂H₄) level is essential for environmental and health safety, while traditional detection methods face challenges including low sensitivity, complex sample handling, and sophisticated operation. In this study, a novel fluorescent probe, ZNP, was designed and synthesized for tracking hydrazine in soils and river water. It was used for in situ monitoring of hydrazine generation in living cells. The optical performance guaranteed the high selectivity and reliable anti-interference. The most significant merit was a practical dynamic range for intuitive visualization. Additionally, the develop probe predominantly accumulated in lysosomes. Notably, ZNP integrated the fluorescent and visual signals, which enabled the naked-eye observation. This work acted as a significant step towards the practical tools for environmental toxicology applications.