Rhodamine-anchored poly(norbornene) for fluorescent sensing of ATP

A fluorescent poly (norbornene)-based copolymer probe P1 , which was obtained via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a PEG-anchored norbornene monomer NB-PEG with a rhodamine-functionalized monomer NB-RB, has been designed and synthesized. Owing to its amphiphilic property, copolymer P1 self-assembles nanostructure aggregations in aqueous solution with a weak emission. Upon addition of ATP, visual color change from colorless to red and a large fluorescence enhancement were observed for the ring-opening of rhodamine spirolactam mechanism. This probe shows a good photostability, and has been successfully applied for imaging of ATP level in living SMMC cells. • Novel rhodamine-anchored poly (norbornene) copolymer was prepared. • It forms nanostructural aggregation in aqueous solution. • It shows turn-on fluorescent and colorimetric sensing of ATP. • The probe can image intracellular ATP levels.