Development of a "double reaction" type-based fluorescent probe for the imaging of superoxide anion in living cells

Superoxide anion (O2 & BULL; ) is an important ROS in living systems, and rapid and in situ detection of O2 & BULL; is critical for the in-depth study of its roles in the closely related diseases. Herein, we present a "double reaction" type-based fluorescent probe (BZT) for the imaging of O2 & BULL; in living cells. BZT employed a triflate group as a recognition site for O2 & BULL; . In response to O2 & BULL;, the probe BZT underwent double chemical reactions, including the nucleophilic reaction between O2 & BULL; and triflate, and the cyclization reaction through the other nucleophilic reaction between hydroxyl and cyano group. BZT could show high sensitivity and selectivity to O2 & BULL; . Biological imaging experiments demonstrated that the probe BZT could be successfully applied to detect the exogenous and endogenous O2 & BULL; in living cells, and the results suggested that rutin could efficiently scavenge the endogenous O2 & BULL; induced by rotenone. We expected that the developed probe could provide a valuable tool to investigate the pathological roles of O2 & BULL; in relevant diseases.