Molecular nanoarchitectonics of proton triggered tetraphenylethylene-based detector: colorimetric, reversible, and intracellular pH

In this paper, we designed, synthesized, and characterized 4,4′,4′′,4′′′-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis( N , N -dimethylaniline) ( 1 ). Furthermore, UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence emission studies reveal that 1 acts as a selective and sensitive probe for reversible acid-base sensing in solution as well as in the solid state. Nevertheless, the probe exhibited colorimetric sensing and intracellular fluorescent cell imaging of acid-base sensitive cells, making it a practical sensor with several potential applications in chemistry. Probe 1 exhibited optical, colorimetric reversible pH sensing and intracellular fluorescent cell imaging under UV and visible light when subjected to TFA and TEA. Probe 1 shows practical applications when exposed on TLC plates and cotton buds.