Cd(2+) Triggered the FRET "ON": A New Molecular Switch for the Ratiometric Detection of Cd(2+) with Live-Cell Imaging and Bound X-ray Structure.

On the basis of the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism between rhodamine and quinoline-benzothiazole conjugated dyad, a new colorimetric as well as fluorescence ratiometric probe was synthesized for the selective detection of Cd(2+). The complex formation of the probe with Cd(2+) was confirmed through Cd(2+)-bound single-crystal structure. Capability of the probe as imaging agent to detect the cellular uptake of Cd(2+) was demonstrated here using living RAW cells.