A highly selective fluorescent probe for the sensing of Cu²⁺ based on the hydrolysis of a quinoline-2-carboxylate and its application in cell imaging

Abstract

A highly selective OFF–ON fluorescent probe is developed for the sensing of Cu2+ based on the hydrolysis of a quinoline-2-carboxylate moiety. The probe is weakly fluorescent due to esterification of the phenolic group. Upon treatment with 1 equiv. of Cu2+, the probe exhibits strong fluorescence at 570 nm. The probe also exhibits high selectivity for Cu2+ over other cations with a low detection limit of 0.2 μM, which is sensitive enough to meet the standard of the World Health Organization for Cu2+ in drinking water (30 μM). Moreover, the probe shows a very low cell cytotoxicity, and imaging experiments demonstrate that the probe can be used for the sensing of Cu2+ in living cells.