Pyridylthioether-hydroxycoumarin Schiff base as selective Zn2+ fluorescence sensor, application in life cell imaging and uses of resulting complex as secondary probe for ATP sensing

Abstract Pyridylthioether appended coumarin Schiff base (7-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-((2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylthio)phenylimino)methyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (HL)) exhibits fluorescence augmentation with Zn 2+ and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.078 μM. Formation of complex, [ZnL(CH 3 COO)], has been ascertained by X-ray crystallography, and also by Job’s plot and Mass spectra. The fluorogenic complex, [ZnL(CH 3 COO)] identifies ATP in presence of organic and inorganic phosphates and also other anions. The DFT and TD DFT computation have been carried out with ligand and complex to interpret the spectral properties. The practical applicability of HL has been examined in the identification of Zn 2+ in intracellular fluid in RAW 264.7 cells ( Mus musculus, mouse ).