In Vivo Fluoride Ion Detection and Imaging in Mice Using a Designed Near-Infrared Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe Based on IR-780.

A ratiometric near-infrared fluorescence probe based on IR-780 is developed and applied to fluoride anion (F-) detection in potable water and white flour as well as fluorescence imaging in living cells and mice. The proposed probe not only displays a linear ratiometric (F740/F690 nm) fluorescence response but also possesses near-infrared wavelengths to F- with a detection limit of 0.2 μM. Moreover, the designed probe displays high selectivity toward F-, which makes it feasible for F- detection in potable water and white flour. More importantly, applied to monitor F- in living HepG2 cells and male BALB/c mice, the probe indicates good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. However, no study for F- detection has been reported by a ratiometric NIR fluorescent probe so far. We expect that this probe with superior properties has great potential for use in F- detection in biological systems and in vivo studies.