A novel coumarin-based fluorescent probe for selective detection of bissulfite anions in water and sugar samples

A simple aldehyde-functionalized coumarin (7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-aldehyde) was utilized for the selective detection of bisulfite anions in water. The probe has exhibited a selective and sensitive response to the bisulfite anion against other anions, including Cys, through the nucleophilic addition of the bisulfite to probe. The fluorescence of the probe changes upon the addition of bisulfite anions, such that millimolar concentrations of bisulfite are detectable. Moreover, the sensor can also be applied to detect the level of bisulfite in sugar samples.