Dual-response and lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe for viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives

Viscosity and sulfur dioxide levels are important factors to evaluate the changes of cell micro-environment because a series of diseases usually occur when they are abnormal. At present, dual-response probes that can detect both viscosity and sulfur dioxide are rare. Therefore, we developed a novel fluorescent probe CBN for simultaneous detection of sulfur dioxide and viscosity. Besides, probe CBN could target lysosome of which normal function will be disrupted by the abnormality of viscosity. Therefore, probe CBN has the potential to be served as an effective biological tool to monitor the intracellular micro-environment. [Display omitted] •A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe CBN was developed to detect sulfur dioxide derivatives and viscosity.•CBN had a large Stokes shift of 215 nm and 96.8% energy transfer efficiency.•CBN possessed good selectivity and sensitivity toward sulfur dioxide derivatives.•CBN achieved detection viscosity in living cells and targeted lysosome.