A 3-position modified naphthalimide fluorescent probe for reversible response to H2O2 and GSH and cell imaging

An “off–on–off” fluorescent probe NapEb for high selectivity and reversible response to H 2 O 2 and GSH was synthesized. Inspired by the role of GSH in the human body, the –Se–N– bond in ebselen was successfully used as the recognition site. The probe NapEb is sensitive (LOD = 8.4 µM) and fast for H 2 O 2 (within 200 s). It can be used not only for qualitative and quantitative detection of H 2 O 2 in real samples, but also has been successfully used for the imaging detection of H 2 O 2 in MCF-7 cells with good effect. Moreover, continuous fluorescence recognition of GSH has also achieved significant results, the process is reversible and can be repeated for 5 times. The experimental results show that satisfactory results can also be obtained by structural modification at the 3-position of naphthalimide.