Design and Synthesis of a Fluorescent Probe Based on Copper Complex for Selective Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide

A novel fluorescence probe NA-LCX was rationally designed and synthesized for the sequential recognition of Cu2+ and H2S by the combination of hydroxyl-naphthalene and diformylphenol groups. The response properties of NA-LCX for Cu2+ ions and H2S with “on-off-on” manner were investigated by fluorescence emission spectra. A highly selective and sensitive response of complex NA-LCX-Cu2+ for H2S over other competing amino acids was observed with a limit of detection at 2.79 μM. The stoichiometry of NA-LCX toward Cu2+ ions was determined to be 1 : 1 by the UV-Vis absorption spectrum, and the coordination configuration was calculated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, probe NA-LCX was applied successfully for the recognition of Cu2+ ions and H2S in living cells.