Basic amino acid induced isomerization of a spiropyran: towards visual recognition of basic amino acids in water

Basic amino acids (BAA) induced 1-(β-carboxyethyl)-3,3-dimethyl-6′-nitrospiro(indoline-2,2′[2H-1]benzopyran) (SP) isomerization to its open form, i.e.merocyanine (MC), and the formation of its complex with BAA in water was reported for the first time, which may provide a potential application for in situ recognition of BAA.