A fluorescein-based probe with high selectivity and sensitivity for sulfite detection in aqueous solution

A “turn-on” fluorescein-based probe for sulfite detection has been established employing SO32− promoted levulinyl cleavage and concurrent generation of fluorescein. The synthesized probe exhibits high SO32− selectivity over fourteen other anion ions, and the satisfactory detection limit was 0.80 mg/L in aqueous media containing co-solvent CH3CN (1%, v/v). The probe is successfully applied for the detection of sulfite in white wine.