A novel 'turn-on' coumarin-based fluorescence probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) for sensitive detection of hydrazine and its imaging in living cells.

An aggregation-induced emission (AIE)- and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)-based probe 1 (7‑hydroxy‑3‑(3‑methyl‑isoxazol‑5‑yl)‑chromen‑2‑one) that is highly selective for NH has been synthesized, exhibiting a 'turn-on' response toward NH in CHCN/HO solution. The detection limit of the probe was 2.90 ppb, which was evidently lower than the threshold limit value (10 ppb) recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Notably, the sensor could be used for the detection of NH in living cells.