A readily available colorimetric and near-infrared fluorescent turn-on probe for rapid and selective detection of cysteine in living cells.

A readily available naphthofluorescein-based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe was reported for rapid, colorimetric and NIR fluorescent turn-on detection of cysteine (Cys) with high selectivity and sensitivity over various analytes including the similar structured homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). This probe was successfully applied to bioimage intracellular Cys in living cells with low cytotoxicity.