Fluorescein propiolate: a propiolate-decorated fluorescent probe with remarkable selectivity towards cysteine

A fluorescent probe decorated with an alkynyl ester unit (e.g. propiolate) displayed a selective turn-on type fluorescent response towards cysteine. Following a sequential addition-cyclisation pathway mediated by the addition of cysteine, the pre-fluorescent dye rapidly transformed into a new structure and induced a fluorescent response clearly observable with the naked eye.