A through-bond energy transfer-based ratiometric fluorescent pH probe: For extreme acidity and extreme alkaline detection with large emission shifts

摘要： A ratiometric fluorescence pH probe 1 based on through-bond energy transfer (TBET) with a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) as donor and a Rhodamine derivative as acceptor is developed through simple condensation reaction. The probe exhibits a ratiometric fluorescence emission (I593/I422) characteristics and linear response to extreme acidity range of 5.00-2.88, and a ratiometric fluorescence emission (I555/I422) characteristics and linear response to extreme alkaline range of 10.00-13.78, respectively. Moreover, 1 possesses highly selective response to pH over metal ions, good reversibility and excellent photostability. Probe 1 is cellpermeable and can distinguish near pH 5.55 fluctuations in Hela cells. Furthermore, 1 can be immobilized on a test paper, which shows a rapid and reversible colorimetric response to HCl/NH3 vapor by the naked-eye.