Development of a novel fluorescence enhancement probe for detection of Sn2+ in organisms, with high selectivity and sensitivity, is of great interest but remains a great challenge. Herein, an ICT-based fluorescence probe TPPB was rationally developed to act as an 'enhancement' luminescent and "naked-eye" indicator for Sn2+ detection. Importantly, spectroscopic studies indicated that TPPB was a fluorescence enhancement sensor for Sn2+ with rapid response, low detection limit (0.116 μM) and excellent binding constant (1.6 × 104 M-1). The mechanism of TPPB response to Sn2+ was further proved by 1H NMR titration, and enhancement calculations. Furthermore, TPPB is applied as a fluorescence probe for imaging in Hela cells, indicated that it can be potentially applied for Sn2+ sensing in biological fields.
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