Ratiometric Fluorescent pH Probes Based on Glycopolymers

Effectively detecting pH changes plays a critical role in exploring cellular functions and determining physiological and pathological processes. A novel ratiometric pH probe based on a glycopolymer, armored with properties of serum‐stability, tumor‐targeting, and pH monitoring, is designed. Random copolymers of 2‐(methacrylamido) glucopyranose and fluorescein O‐methacrylate are first synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Acryloxyethyl thiocarbamoyl rhodamine B is then attached to the polymer chain to prepare ratiometric fluorescent pH probes via a thiol‐ene reaction. The synthesized polymeric probes are characterized by NMR, gel permeation chromatography, UV–vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and the fluorescence responses are examined in phosphate buffer at different pHs. The cytotoxicity and confocal imaging experiments of the probes are detected using HeLa cells, demonstrating a low toxicity and superior biocompatibility for detecting pH changes in bioapplications. A novel ratiometric fluorescent polymeric pH probe containing sugar and two different fluorescent moieties is prepared via the combination of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and thiol‐ene reactions. The glycopolymer‐based probe possessing the properties of serum‐stability, cancer‐targeting, and pH monitoring demonstrates great potential in cancer imaging and related applications.