An AIE fluorescent probe with a naphthalimide derivative and its application for detection of hypochlorite and imaging inside living cells

Hypochlorite (ClO − ) is a highly reactive oxygen species that plays an important role in resistance to attacks by microorganisms. Herein, we report the preparation of a fluorescence probe (NIB-M) through the integration of a naphthalimide moiety and ClO − to capture diaminomaleonitrile and employ it for the aggregation-induced emission-based (AIE-based) monitoring of ClO − . In the presence of ClO − , NIB-M undergoes sequential nucleophilic substitution and HCl elimination reactions that allow it to possess high selectivity, a fast response, and a low detection limit (0.032 μM). Due to the good AIE properties of the parent molecule, a ClO − test board was facilely prepared by loading NIB-M on a Whatman paper strip-based portable device. The test plate can conveniently and sensitively detect hypochlorite onsite. In addition, the NIB-M probe was used for the imaging of exogenous/endogenous ClO − inside living cells.