An ESIPT based fluorescence probe for ratiometric monitoring of nitric oxide

Development of simple and selective fluorescence probes for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) is of great important because of the key roles this gasotransmitter plays in various physiological and pathological processes. Although a large number of fluorescence probes for NO have been developed thus far, only a few display ratiometric fluorescence changes. In this study, an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorophore based, ratiometric fluorescence probe for NO was developed. The probe shows good selectivity and sensitivity for NO over other relevant analytes. Furthermore, the probe was applied to imaging NO in living cells.