Simultaneous detection and differentiation of biomolecules is of significance in biological research. Biothiols such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH) play an important role in regulating the vital functions of living organisms. However, existing methods for simultaneous detection and differentiation of Cys, Hcy, and GSH are still challenging because of their similarity in structure and chemical properties. Herein we report a probe that simultaneously detects and discriminates between mixtures of Cys, Hcy and GSH using ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This ¹⁹F NMR probe responds rapidly to biothiols through the Michael addition reaction and subsequent intramolecular cyclization reaction allowing differentiation between Cys, Hcy and GSH through ¹⁹F NMR chemical shift. We demonstrate that this ¹⁹F NMR probe is a powerful method for analysis of complex mixtures.

同时检测和区分生物分子在生物学研究中具有重要意义。半胱氨酸（Cys），高半胱氨酸（Hcy）和谷胱甘肽（GSH）等生物硫醇在调节活生物体的重要功能中起着重要作用。但是，由于Cys，Hcy和GSH的结构和化学性质相似，因此同时检测和区分Cys，Hcy和GSH的现有方法仍具有挑战性。本文中，我们报告了一种探针，该探针使用¹⁹ F核磁共振（NMR）同时检测和区分Cys，Hcy和GSH的混合物。该¹⁹ F NMR探针通过迈克尔加成反应和随后的分子内环化反应对生物硫醇快速响应，从而可通过以下方式区分Cys，Hcy和GSH¹⁹ F NMR化学位移。我们证明了这种¹⁹ F NMR探针是分析复杂混合物的有力方法。