An anionic conjugated polymer as a multi-action sensor for the sensitive detection of Cu(2+) and PPi, real-time ALP assaying and cell imaging.

A Cu(2+) ensemble polyfluorene derivative, poly[5,5'-(((9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl))bis(oxy))diisophthalate] sodium salt (PFT), displays unprecedented selectivity for PPi (LOD = 2.26 ppb) in aqueous solution as well as in random urine samples at physiological pH vis-a-vis monitoring ALP activity. Furthermore, intracellular imaging of Cu(2+) and PPi in mouse macrophage (J774A.1) and human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231) was achieved to confirm the viability of PFT in biological systems.