A novel naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for the colorimetric and ratiometric detection of SO2 derivatives in biological imaging

[Display omitted] •A simple naphthalimide-based chemosensor was synthesized based on ICT process for ratiometric detection of SO2 derivatives.•The probe displayed high selective and sensitive for derivatives (detection limit is 1.53 μM).•The probe was applied for exogenous and endogenous SO2 imaging by dual emission channels in living Hela and HepG2 cells. SO2 is a well-known signal molecule and one of reactive sulfur species, which closely participates in many metabolic processes. While unbalanced metabolism of sulfur dioxide can lead to serious complications of various diseases. Therefore, a rapid and accurate monitoring of SO2 derivatives with high selectivity and sensitivity would be beneficial for their bio-analytic studies. Herein, a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe (NG-TCF) based on ICT mechanism for monitoring SO2 was developed. The probe underwent a nucleophilic addition of HSO3-/SO32- to give rise to a 120 nm blue-shift dual-emission signal changes in enhanced green channel and subdued red channel under a single wavelength excitation. The probe showed fast response rate (within 7 min), good sensitivity (the detection limit is 1.53 µM), and specific response toward HSO3-/SO32- over other bio-species, including H2S and ClO-. Moreover, the probe can be applied for visual ratio imaging of exogenous and endogenous SO2 derivatives in living cells.