An OFF–ON fluorescent probe for Zn2+ based on a GFP-inspired imidazolone derivative attached to a 1,10-phenanthroline moiety

Abstract

A green fluorescent protein chromophore inspired chemosenor for Zn(2+) was designed and synthesized. A Zn(2+) specific fluorescence enhancement was observed due to restricted rotation between the 1,10-phenanthroline and imidazolone moieties.