Rapid-response fluorescent probe for hydrogen peroxide in living cells based on increased polarity of C-B bonds.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a crucial role in oxidative stress and signal transduction of organisms. Currently, a fluorescence probe has proven to be a powerful tool for the H2O2 analysis. However, the common problem is the slow response, causing difficulty in tracking H2O2 in situ. Herein, we describe a novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescence probe based on increased polarity of C-B bonds that is well suited for monitoring H2O2 rapidly and selectively. Importantly, the probe was successfully applied to visualize H2O2 levels in living cells, which provides a rapid-response and highly selective fluorescence tool for monitoring of the H2O2 levels in biological process.