Fluorescent imaging of Au(3+) in living cells with two new high selective Au(3+) probes

Two new acetylenic compounds were designed and synthesized as the probes to realize the detection and recognition of Au(3+). The latent fluorophores was rearranged into the fluorescent coumarin derivatives with strong fluorescence by a gold ion-mediated hydroarylation reaction. In the meanwhile, the generated fluorescent substances were also isolated and characterized. The probes identified Au(3+) ions highly selectively over other biologically relevant metal ions, and detection concentration of Au(3+) was as low as 0.1µM or less. Fluorescent imaging of Au(3+) in living cells was also successfully demonstrated.