A highly sensitive and selective "turn on" fluorescent probe based on fused four-ring quinoxaline skeleton for endogenous detection of NTR.

A novel probe T - 1 for the response of NTR based on fused four-ring quinoxaline skeleton was investigated. Under the action of NTR, the probe produced green fluorescence response at 495 nm. The spectroscopic properties, response mechanism, fluorescence imaging, and other aspects of probe T - 1 were investigated. In the fluorescence titration experiments, the probe showed excellent selectivity, lower detection limit (41 ng/mL) and better fluorescence quantum yield (Y u = 0.14) for NTR. The response mechanism of the probe was explained by the comparison of F - 1 ultraviolet spectra obtained in two different ways and the verification of HRMS spectra. Additionally, the application of fluorescence imaging technology made it possible to detect endogenous NTR, and broadened the application prospect of fluorescent probe. We have designed a novel probe T - 1 for the response of NTR based on fused four-ring quinoxaline skeleton. Probe T - 1 showed excellent selectivity, lower detection limit (41 ng/mL) and better fluorescence quantum yield (Y u = 0.14) for NTR. The application of fluorescence imaging technology made it possible to detect endogenous NTR, and broadened the application prospect of fluorescent probe. [Display omitted] • The probe T - 1 can detect NTR with high sensitivity and selectivity. • The detection limit is as low as 41 ng/mL with high accuracy. • The probe shows low toxicity and is successfully employed to monitor NTR in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]