Fluorescent Imaging and Smartphone Detection of ClO- Using Sensors Based on Trifluoromethylquinoline-substituted Pyranonitrile

In the field of novel fluorescent sensors, achieving rapid and sensitive tracking of target substances has become an urgent imperative. Applying this technology to the detection of biomarkers for biological diseases holds profound practical significance. Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is a significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) within biological systems. Aberrant metabolism of HClO can result in disruptions of physiological functions and oxidative stress, consequently influencing the development of various diseases. In this context, our study has successfully developed a novel fluorescent probe named W-4a, which employs trifluoromethyl quinoline as a substitute for traditional pyranonitrile compounds, enabling the rapid (< 40 s) and highly sensitive (UV limit of detection: 1.62 μM; fluorescence limit of detection: 0.14 μM) detection of ClO-, during the detection process, ClO- effectively activated the fluorescent probe and showed a distinct red fluorescent signal at 687 nm. Furthermore, the W-4a probe exhibits excellent biocompatibility and excels in both exogenous and endogenous ClO- detection imaging within cells, Co-localization experiments indicate that probe W-4a effectively targets the Golgi apparatus. Additionally, in conjunction with the W-4a probe, we have devised a portable smart detection method for hypochlorous acid in environmental settings, which holds the potential to serve as a flexible and potent tool for monitoring environmental toxicity.