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The eco–environmental toxicity of the rare metal palladium (Pd) has received extensive attention, thereby requiring simple and practical methods for detecting Pd. Herein, a new probe (HPD) based on dicyanoisophorone dye was designed and synthesized for the detection of Pd. HPD provides several advantages for tracking Pd, including near–infrared (NIR) emission (λ ex = 670 nm, λ em = 700 nm), naked–eye recognition, and comprehensive detection of 0/2/4 valence Pd with good selectivity and anti–interference. The reaction–sensing mechanism of HPD for Pd was further studied using density functional theory calculations. HPD was demonstrated to be a promising tool for the detection of Pd in real water samples, as well as the imaging of Pd in living cells and animals. [Display omitted] • A novel intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) based fluorescence probe was developed to detect palladium (Pd). • Near–infrared (NIR) emission and naked–eye detection of Pd are performed. • The detection mechanism of the probe was verified by experiments and calculations. • The probe can detect Pd in real water samples, living cells and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biothiols, including homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys) and reduced glutathione (GSH), play various roles in physiological and pathological processes. Because these biothiols possess similar in structures, it is difficult to discriminate Hcy, Cys and GSH from one another. In this work, a novel fluorescent probe, 4-BrCP , based on coumarin as a fluorophore to discriminate GSH from Hcy and Cys was rationally designed and synthesized in three steps with good total yield. The benzothiazol ring played the role of a fluorescent emission wavelength adjuster, while the ester part served as a fluorescent quencher and reactive sites with Hcy, Cys and GSH. The results of responsive experiment indicated that the probe could discriminate GSH from Hcy and Cys distinctly and exhibited a relatively high fluorescence quantum yield (0.84) and low detection limit (9.8 nM). In addition, the probe 4-BrCP also showed good stability and low toxicity. The reaction mechanism of 4-BrCP with GSH was speculated on according to the LC-MS data. Most importantly, because of the length of the skeletons of Hcy, Cys and GSH, different dynamic fluorescent phenomena were observed. Furthermore, imaging experiments suggested that the probe could be used to monitor GSH in living cells and organisms. [Display omitted] • A novel fluorescent probe based on coumarin was rationally designed and synthesized. • The probe could selectively discriminate GSH from Hcy, Cys, or Hcy/Cys/GSH coexisting condition. • The probe showed a good quantum yield (0.84) and low detection limit (9.8 nM). • The probe could trace endogenous GSH in living cells and organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]