Fluoride ions detection in aqueous media by unprecedented ring opening of fluorescein dye: A novel multimodal sensor for fluoride ions and its utilization in live cell imaging.

[Display omitted] • Fluorescein dye derived sensor for fluoride ions. • Naked eye detection of fluoride ions. • Very fast Turn-on fluorescence with fluoride ions. • Fluoride ions detection in aqueous solution. • NMR titrations reveals N H and fluoride adduct formation. • Applicable for live cell imaging via fluorescence imaging. Imidazole functionalized on fluorescein dye was developed as an efficient probe for naked eye and fluorescence determination of fluoride ions. The probe is dramatic color change and very exciting fluorescence turn-on response with the addition fluoride ions. Moreover, fluoride ions triggering leads to the fissure of the spirolactam ring that causes drastic color makes feasible for the naked eye detection of fluoride ions. The mode of binding of fluoride with the probe was proved by 1H NMR titration experiments and the observed photophysical changes were rationalized by use of DFT calculations. This sensor was more applied to detect fluoride ions in real samples and imaging of fluoride ions through fluorescence imaging in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]