A seminaphthorhodafluor-based near-infrared fluorescent probe for hydrazine and its bioimaging in living systems

Hydrazine (N2H4) has been classified as a potential carcinogen with its high toxicity, which can be readily absorbed through the skin or via breathing directly. Although some fluorescent probes have been developed for imaging of N2H4, very little can be used for imaging of N2H4 in vivo because of its short emission wavelength. In this study, a new colorimetric and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe CF-1 based on a seminaphthorhodafluor dye was successfully designed and used for hydrazine determination. Upon reaction with N2H4, probe CF-1 showed obvious off-on NIR emission spectrum centered at 657 nm, as well as a distinct color change that can be distinguished by the naked eye. The results of fluorescence spectrum experiments indicated that probe CF-1 has high selectivity and low detection limitation (40.6 nM in the solution). Probe CF-1 has low cytotoxicity and was applied to imaging hydrazine in mitochondria of HeLa cells and in zebrafish.