Naturally occurring thymol based fluorescent probes for detection of intracellular free Mg2+ ion.

Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), the major constituent of ajwain, is a naturally occurring monoterpene phenol having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Herein, we report 4-hydroxy-5-isopropyl-2 methylisophthalaldehyde (DFT) derived from thymol and its derivatives as selective fluorescent chemosensors for Mg 2+ in aqueous medium. These probes can selectively detect Mg 2+ ion and efficiently images intracellular free Mg 2+ in living RAW 264.7 and HeLa cells under fluorescence microscope without any interference from common metal ions. Density Function Theory studies strongly support the experimental facts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]