Olefin Metathesis-Based Fluorescent Probes for the Selective Detection of Ethylene in Live Cells

Ethylene is an important plant hormone that is involved in a variety of developmental processes including agriculturally important ripening of certain fruits. Owing to its significant roles, a number of approaches have previously been developed to detect ethylene via molecular interactions. However, there are no current approaches for detection that are selective via a discrete homogeneous molecular interaction. Here we report two profluorescent chemodosimeters for the selective detection of the plant hormone ethylene. The approach consists of a BODIPY fluorophore with a pendant ruthenium recognition element based on a Hoveyda–Grubbs second generation catalysts. A marked increase in fluorescence is observed upon exposure to ethylene and selectivity is observed for ethylene over other alkenes, providing a unique approach toward ethylene detection. Imaging in live cells demonstrated that ethylene could be detected from multiple relevant sources.