Ratiometric fluorescent probe based on pyrrole-modified rhodamine 6G hydrazone for the imaging of Cu2+ in lysosomes.

Abstract A novel rhodamine-based Schiff base derivative was obtained via the simple condensation of substituted formyl-1H-pyrrole and rhodamine 6G hydrazone. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer enabled the subsequent use of the derivative as a naked-eye colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ in semi-aqueous solution, and the existence of the morpholine group enabled the further application of the sensor in imaging Cu2+ in the lysosomes of HeLa cells. Graphical Abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel pyrrole-rhodamine hydrazone has been synthesised from the commercial intermediate of sunitib. • The hydrazone acts as a colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for Cu2+ in semi-aqueous solution. • The probe has been used for imaging of Cu2+ in the lysosomes of HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]