Construction of a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe with multiple fluorescence emission and its application for SO2 derivative detection in cells and living zebrafish

   In summary, we have constructed a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe for SO₂ derivatives with multiple fluorescence emission by incorporating triphenylamine group in Rh-TPA.The probe showed near infrared fluorescence emission peaks at 740 nm and 810 nm; after interacting with SO₂ derivatives, two emission peaks emerged in the visible light region. The probe could detect SO₂ derivatives with both colorimetric and ratiometric characteristics and excellent selectivity in solution. As indicated by biological experiments, Rh-TPA could detect SO₂ derivatives efficiently in HeLa cells and zebrafish with remarkable fluorescence changes in both red and green channels. As indicated by the photophysical and biological experiments, the probe exhibited excellent near infrared emission properties and good biocompatibility; thus, it can potentially be applied as a novel unit in many fields such as organic photovoltaic materials, optical materials and drug delivery areas in the future.