Recent development of reactional small-molecule fluorescent probes based on resorufin

Fluorescent probe technology has been widely used in biochemistry, medicine, environmental science and industry. Resorufin has been widely used in the design of small molecule fluorescent chemical sensors due to its excellent optical properties. It has found a wide range of applications in molecular recognition and molecular imaging in analytical chemistry, biology and medicine. In this review, we systematically summarize the development of resorufin-based fluorescent probes to detect biologically active substances such as enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), reactive sulfur species (RSS), ions, etc. The design strategies and biological applications of various resorufin-based fluorescent probes are discussed in detail, so as to promote the development of more powerful fluorescent probes for extensive and exciting applications in the future. In addition, we also outlook on the development trend and the prospects of probes based on the resorufin platform. [Display omitted] •A review systematically summarizes the development of resorufin-based fluorescent probes.•The protection of 7-hydroxy group and substitution of N atom of resorufin are two general strategies to develop probes.•Resorufin-based probes could detect enzymes, ROS, RNS, RSS, ions, and target organelle.•NIR-I or NIR-II and ratiometric fluorescent probes could be the optimal pursuit.