A BOPHY probe for the fluorescence turn-on detection of Cu2+

Bis(difluoroboron)-1,2-bis[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene]hydrazine (BOPHY) is a new class of highly fluorescent organoboron compound. The new symmetric structural motif, the unusual absorption and emission properties, and better photo stability have attracted considerable attentions for the development of various functional chromophores. In the present work, a novel BOPHY derivative (BOPHY-NNBOH) for the selective sensing of Cu2+ was synthesized. BOPHY-NNBOH shows very weak fluorescence. However, it displays significant fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Cu2+. The method is sensitive and selective, and sensing of Cu2+ ions in HeLa cells is also demonstrated. To our knowledge, the present work is the first application of BOPHY derivatives in bioanalysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.