Selective recognition of Zn(II) ions in live cells based on chelation enhanced near-infrared fluorescent probe.

• This NR-Zn probe exhibits a strong turn-on fluorescence response toward Zn(II) ions when excited at 545 nm and has other advantages, such as rapid re-sponse (<20 s), large Stokes shift (131 nm), low cyto-toxicity and good photostability. Moreover, it has been successfully applied to monitor Zn(II) ions in Hela cells. A near-infrared fluorescent (NIR) probe NR-Zn, which consists of a dicyanoisophorone derivative and an Zn(II) ion recongnitive dipicolylamine moiety, was synthesized and applied to detect Zn(II) ions concentration change in living cell. This NR-Zn probe exhibits a strong turn-on fluorescence response toward Zn(II) ions when excited at 545 nm and has other advantages, such as rapid response (<20 s), large Stokes shift (131 nm), low cytotoxicity and good photostability. Moreover, it has been succesfully applied to monitor Zn(II) ions in Hela cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]