Carbazole-azine based fluorescence 'off-on' sensor for selective detection of Cu2+ and its live cell imaging.

A new carbazole-azine based fluorescent sensor was synthesized and characterized. The selectivity of the sensor for Cu2+ over other counter ions in a dimethyl sulfoxide/H2 O mixture was shown through enhancement in fluorescence - an off to on transformation. The specificity of the probe towards Cu2+ was evident in ultraviolet/visible, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared and mass studies. Application of the probe in the cell imaging and cytotoxicity of living cells is illustrated.