A novel mitochondria-targetable NIR fluorescent probe for monitoring intracellular hypobromous acid levels.

The development of ultrasensitive in situ detection techniques for monitoring hypobromous acid (HBrO) levels in the biological systems is of great significance to reveal its complex pathological and physiological effects. A simple mitochondria-targetable hydrazine-based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (Mito-NIR) for detecting HBrO in the mitochondria of live cells is presented in this paper. Probe Mito-NIR displays the ultrafast (< 5 s) response for HBrO. It can detect HBrO with high sensitivity. Additionally, it shows high selectivity towards HBrO over other biologically important substances. Finally, it can monitor the changes of endogenous/exogenous HBrO levels in the mitochondria of live cells. A simple mitochondria-targetable NIR fluorescent probe with picomolar sensitivity for HBrO was developed to specifically track mitochondrial HBrO.