Functionalized Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles for Detecting Zinc Ions in Living Cells and Their Cytotoxicity

Abstract

The zinc tank: A new fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on BODIPY-functionalized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (1) has been prepared. Chemoprobe 1 exhibits high selectivity for Zn(2+) over other competing metal ions tested. Moreover, confocal microscopy experiments established that 1 can be used for detecting Zn(2+) levels in living cells (see figure).