Ratiometric red aggregation-induced emission luminogens for hydrazine hydrate detection

Based on a deprotection reaction and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism induced by hydrazine hydrate, a fluorescent probe for the rapid recognition of hydrazine hydrate (N2H4 & BULL;H2O) was designed. A simple one-step condensation reaction was employed to synthesize a series of novel aggregation-induced emission fluorescent probes with good sensitivity and selectivity for N2H4 & BULL;H2O. The detection limits for N2H4 & BULL;H2O using 1 to 3 were 1.51, 0.544 and 2.61 & mu;M, respectively, at a probe concentration of 20.0 & mu;M. Furthermore, probes 1-3 were able to detect N2H4 & BULL;H2O in living cells and it was found that probes 1-3 could interact with N2H4 & BULL;H2O to provide an effective tool for on-line monitoring. Moreover, probe 1 is capable of the imaging and tracing of N2H4 & BULL;H2O in zebrafish.