Zn2+ mediated solvent free solid state red emitting fluorescent complex formation in a mortar–pestle along with living cell imaging studies†
Abstract
An acridone based highly Zn2+ selective, cell-permeable turn-on fluorescence probe (AAS) shows yellow fluorescence at 560 nm (λex, 445 nm) in dry methanol/DMSO up to 100 μM Zn2+. At higher Zn2+ concentration (>100 μM in dry methanol) AAS yields a red solid polymeric complex having strong emission at 605 nm. Interestingly, the red solid polymer also appears at relatively lower Zn2+ concentration (>50 μM) in water. The lowest detection limit of AAS is 0.1 nM Zn2+. AAS is employed for fluorescence bio-imaging of Zn2+ in human MCF 7 breast cancer cells and HeLa cells. Moreover, AAS develops an orange colour detectable by the naked eye in the presence of trace Zn2+ in a mixture of various common cations and anions in the solid state (requires no solvent). Hence, this method is extremely green and interference free. AAS can be employed as a laboratory indicator for detection of Zn2+ in real samples and live cells.
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