Low-Cytotoxicity Fluorescent Probes Based on Anthracene Derivatives for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection.

Owing to the role of HS in various biochemical processes and diseases, its accurate detection is a major research goal. Three artificial fluorescent probes based on 9-anthracenecarboxaldehyde derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their anion binding capacity was assessed by UV-Vis titration, fluorescence spectroscopy, HRMS, HNMR titration, and theoretical investigations. Although the anion-binding ability of compound was insignificant, two compounds and , containing benzene rings, were highly sensitive fluorescent probes for HS among the various anions studied (HS, F, Cl, Br, I, AcO, H , , Cys, GSH, and Hcy). This may be explained by the nucleophilic reaction between HS and the electron-poor C=C double bond. Due to the presence of a nitro group, compound , with a nitrobenzene ring, showed stronger anion binding ability than that of compound . In addition, compound had a proliferative effect on cells, and compounds and showed low cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells in the concentration range of 0-150 μg·mL. Thus, compounds and can be used as biosensors for the detection of HS and may be valuable for future applications.