A ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe TNQ was developed based on quinoline platform to detect hydrazine (N2H4) with high selectivity. TNQ exhibited large two-photon absorption cross sections at 710 nm (250 GM) and excellent ratiometric two-photon fluorescent detection signal for hydrazine. TNQ was also successfully applied to selectively detect hydrazine vapor even at a concentration down to 0.05%. Cell cytotoxicity and bio-imaging studies revealed that probe TNQ was cell-permeable and could be used to detect hydrazine in living cells with low cytotoxicity under two-photon excitation.
Keywords: Fluorescent probe; Hydrazine; Hydrazine vapor detection; Ratiometric; Two-photon.