Water-soluble single molecular probe for simultaneous detection of viscosity and hydrazine

[Display omitted] •Single molecule-based N2H4 and viscosity dual-responsive probe was synthesized.•The probe demonstrated fluorescence enhancement response to both targets.•N2H4 vapor could be detection in colorimetric and fluorescence dual-manners.•Living and dead cells could be discriminated by the probe. Hydrazine (N2H4) can cause serious damage to human health, while intracellular viscosity is highly associated with many diseases and cellular dysfunctions. Herein, we report the synthesis of a dual-responsive organic molecule-based fluorescent probe with excellent water solubility being capable of detection of N2H4 and viscosity through dual-fluorescence channels in “turn on” manner for both. Besides sensitive detection of N2H4 in aqueous solution with detection limit of 0.135 μM, this probe could be used for vapor N2H4 detection in colorimetric and fluorescent manners. In addition, the probe demonstrated viscosity-dependent fluorescence enhancement behavior, and as high as 150-fold enhancement could be obtained at 95% glycerol aqueous solution. Cell imaging experiment revealed that the probe could be used for the discriminating of living and dead cells.