H2O2-targeted ratiometric chemosensor with long-wavelength emission and large emission shift based on ESIPT mechanism for bioimaging application

Excessive usage of H2O2 may bring adverse impacts on ecological security and public health. It is imperative for monitoring of levels of H2O2 in ecological environment and biological systems. Herein, an ESIPT mechanism-based ratiometric chemosensor HBTH was proposed, which exhibited long-wavelength emission, superior selectivity for H2O2 in complex matrix, low detection limit in fluorescence measurement (2.99 × 10−8 M), relatively rapid response (15 min) and large emission shift (143 nm). Response mechanism of HBTH for H2O2 recognition was explored by mass spectrometry analysis and theoretical calculation. Importantly, the applicability of HBTH as a H2O2-sensitive chemosensor was confirmed by selective determination of H2O2 in actual water samples and visualizing exo/endogenous H2O2 in cells, zebrafish and mice.