Fluorescent salen-type Zn(II) Complexes As Probes for Detecting Hydrogen Sulfide and Its Anion: Bioimaging Applications

Inorg Chem. 2020 Nov 2;59(21):15977-15986. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c02499. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the mode of interaction of a family of fluorescent zinc complexes with HS- and H2S. Different experiments, performed by diverse spectroscopic techniques, provide evidence that HS- binds the zinc center of all the complexes under investigation. Treatment with neutral H2S exhibits a markedly different reactivity which indicates selectivity for HS- over H2S of the systems under investigation. Striking color changes, visible to the naked eye, occur when treating the systems with HS- or by an H2S flow. Accordingly, also the fluorescence is modulated by the presence of HS-, with the possible formation of multiple adducts. The results highlight the potential of the devised systems to be implemented as HS-/H2S colorimetric and fluorescent sensors. Bioimaging experiments indicate the potential of using this class of compounds as probes for the detection of H2S in living cells.

MeSH terms

  • Anions / analysis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / analysis*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Structure
  • Optical Imaging*
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anions
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Zinc
  • Hydrogen Sulfide