Recent progresses in fluorescent probes for detection of polarity

Polarity, as a complex parameter, plays pivotal roles in chemistry and biology. Deviant polarity change in different subcellular compartments is closely connected with diseases. Thus, to uncover the mysterious veil of polarity in physiological and pathological processes, the precise determination of polarity changes has garnered considerable interest. Compared with many traditional tools, fluorescent probes remain the most commonly employed mean for detecting polarity in vitro and in biological systems, on account of operational simplicity, high selectivity and sensitivity, real-time monitoring, non-invasion and high temporal-spatial resolution. Accumulating fluorescent probes for polarity have been presented and utilized to distinguish polarity in vitro or to reveal the polarity variation in living systems. However, this interesting and frontier topic has not been reviewed systematically so far. Therefore, it’s of great significance to summarize the recent progresses in fluorescent probes for sensing of polarity. In this review, we concentrate on the design strategies, response mechanisms, and imaging applications of organic fluorescent probes for detection of polarity from 2010 to the present. This critical review will facilitate the comprehension of superior fluorescent probes for polarity in the future.