A ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of endogenous and exogenous hydrogen sulfide in living cells

A ratiometric visualized fluorescent probe of H2S of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and excited intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanisms due to solvation effects has been designed and synthesized. This chemosensor shows the distinct signal changes with dual-emission in blue and green fluorescence spectral channel (from 495 nm to 525 nm) upon the addition of H2S in a single wavelength excitation. This chemosensor exhibits the low detection limit (91 nM) and high sensitivity and selectivity. Based on this, this chemosensor was successfully used not only to monitor H2S exogenously but also used to detect and image the endogenously generated H2S in HeLa cells with excellent performance. [Display omitted] •probe 1 synthesised based on ICT and ESIPT mechanisms.•probe 1 shows remarkable properties (dual emission, highly selectivety, lowest detection limit and good biocompatibility).•probe 1 can be used imaging H2S endogenously.