Naphthyl hydrazone anchored with nitrosalicyl moiety as fluorogenic and chromogenic receptor for heavy metals (Ag+, Hg2+) and biologically important F− ion and its live cell imaging applications in HeLa cells and Zebrafish embryos

A new naphthyl hydrazone anchored nitrosalicyl unit has been developed as a host for the selective and sensitive detection of Ag+, Hg2+ and F− ions in DMSO/water (9:1) medium. An obvious fluorescence enhancement was observed towards Ag+, Hg2+ and F− ions due to the inhibition of both photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process and CN isomerization phenomenon. Moreover, the binding stoichiometry of probe with Ag+, Hg2+ and F− ions was established based on Job's plot, 1H NMR, 19F NMR titrations and ESI-MS analysis. Furthermore, the sensing behavior of probe for Ag+, Hg2+ and F− ions was supported by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Besides, cell viability of the probe was demonstrated using live cell imaging experiment and the probe is proved to be an excellent chemical tool for mapping F− and Ag+ ions distribution in HeLa cells and Zebrafish embryos respectively in biological environments.