Development of a highly selective fluorescence probe for hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has recently been identified as a biological response modifier. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a novel fluorescence probe for H(2)S, HSip-1, utilizing azamacrocyclic copper(II) ion complex chemistry to control the fluorescence. HSip-1 showed high selectivity and high sensitivity for H(2)S, and its potential for biological applications was confirmed by employing it for fluorescence imaging of H(2)S in live cells.