Intelligent detection strategy and bioimaging application of dual-responsive Hg²⁺ and ONOO^- using near-infrared probes

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal pollutant. Mercury and its derivatives pose serious threats to the environment and the health of organisms. Numerous reports have indicated that Hg²⁺ exposure induces a burst of oxidative stress in organisms, causing severe damage to the health of the organism. A large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced under conditions of oxidative stress, and superoxide anions (O₂^-) and NO radicals react rapidly with each other to produce peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), an important downstream product. Therefore, developing an efficient and highly responsive screening method to monitor the fluctuations of Hg²⁺ and ONOO^- levels is particularly important. In this work, we designed and synthesized a highly sensitive and highly specific near-infrared probe W-2a, which can effectively detect and distinguish Hg²⁺ and ONOO^- through fluorescence imaging. In addition, we developed a WeChat mini-program called "Colorimetric acquisition" and built an intelligent detection platform to assess the environmental hazards of Hg²⁺ and ONOO^-. The probe can detect Hg²⁺ and ONOO^- in the body through dual signaling, as evidenced by cell imaging, and has successfully monitored fluctuations in the ONOO^- levels in inflamed mice. In conclusion, the W-2a probe provides a highly efficient and reliable method for assessing oxidative stress-induced changes in the ONOO^- levels in the body.