Solvent-dependent turn-on probe for dual monitoring of Ag(+) and Zn(2+) in living biological samples.

A novel, solvent-dependent "off-on" probe with benzoylthiourea moiety as the functional receptor and fluorescein as the fluorophore was designed for monitoring of Ag(+) in EtOH-H2O (2:8, v/v) solution and Zn(2+) in CH3CN-H2O (2:8, v/v) solution at physiological range with sufficient selectivity and sensitivity. The Ag(+) promoted desulfurization of thiosemicarbazide functionality in formation of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole and the coordination of Zn(2+) to the O atom and N atom of the spoirolactam moiety and the S atom of the benzoylthiourea moiety were investigated to be the power that promoted the fluorescent enhancement. This probe was tested highly suitable for mapping Ag(+) and Zn(2+) in living human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and microbial cell-EPS-mineral aggregates, thus, providing a wonderful candidate for tracking Ag(+) and Zn(2+) in biological organisms and processes.