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

Abstract

Abstract 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” NIR 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 can detect H2S in environmental water samples with good recovery rates of 89.6%-102.0% and be made into fluorescence test strips to track the H2S produced during foodstuff spoilage to determine the freshness. Meanwhile, the probe exhibits good 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 to develop its potential as an anti-cancer drug.