A Meldrum's acid-based covalent-assembly fluorescent probe for rapid and sensitive hydrogen sulfide detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Biology

Background:

• Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a vital endogenous signaling molecule.
• Dysregulation of H2S is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes.
• Sensitive and selective H2S detection methods are essential for biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fluorescent probe for sensitive and selective H2S detection.
• To investigate the probe's performance characteristics, including sensitivity, selectivity, and response time.
• To demonstrate the probe's utility in biological imaging applications.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of a Meldrum's acid-based covalent-assembly fluorescent probe (CA-H2S).
• Utilized a 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) moiety for H2S recognition via nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
• Characterized the probe's fluorescence response, quantum yield, selectivity, and detection limit.
• Performed fluorescence imaging in living cells and mice.

Main Results:

• The CA-H2S probe exhibited a ~250-fold fluorescence enhancement upon reaction with H2S.
• Achieved a high quantum yield of 94% and an ultralow detection limit of 12 nM.
• Demonstrated excellent selectivity for H2S over other relevant species.
• Successfully applied the probe for fluorescence imaging of H2S in living biological systems.

Conclusions:

• The developed CA-H2S probe offers a rapid, sensitive, and selective method for H2S detection.
• The probe's properties make it suitable for quantitative analysis and biological imaging of H2S.
• This tool holds promise for advancing research in H2S-related physiological and pathological studies.