A reversible fluorescence probe for detection of ClO(-)/AA redox cycle in aqueous solution and in living cells.

Based on the reversible redox reaction of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-ol with oxidative ClO(-) and reductive ascorbic acid (AA), a reversible fluorescent probe, incorporating 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-ol group into a 7-nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore, was synthesized and studied for the cyclic detection of ClO(-)/AA in aqueous solution. The NBD-based probe displayed sensitive and selective On-Off-On fluorescent responses to ClO(-)/AA and was successfully applied to monitor the ClO(-)/AA redox cycle in living HeLa cells under physiological conditions.