A colorimetric and highly sensitive and selective chemodosimeter for Cu2+ and its application in live cell imaging

A new BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene)-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemodosimeter 1 has been designed and synthesized. Specific turn-on fluorescence response of 1 for Cu2+ was investigated in CH3CN–H2O (1:1, v/v) solution, which can be deduced to a reaction of Cu2+ promoted selectively hydrolysis of CN bond to generate formyl-BODIPY. The chemodosimeter 1 can selectively recognize Cu2+ rather than other metal ions in aqueous solution. Confocal fluorescence imaging of cells for detecting Cu2+ in vivo was carried out successfully. The favorable features of chemodosimeter 1 toward Cu2+ include significant fluorescence enhancement (1340-fold), high selectivity, and low detection limit (0.2 μM).