A simple fluorescence probe for Ga³⁺ has been designed and prepared by Schiff base reaction between 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and l-serine. This probe has been confirmed to effectively monitor Ga³⁺ with high specificity over other metal ions and common anions according to the fluorescence change. The mass spectra (ESI-MS) and Job's plot proved evidences of the complex formation with a 1:1 stoichiometry between the probe and Ga³⁺. The association constant (K) and limit of detection (LOD) were calculated as 7.63 × 10³ M⁻¹ and 0.11 μM, respectively. Furthermore, combined with the density functional theory (DFT) calculation and the fluorescence lifetime change, the detection mechanism of the probe to Ga³⁺ was proposed. The suppression of the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process and the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process is responsible for the fluorescence enhancement of this probe. Additionally, the probe showed good cell permeability and could be also capable of detecting Ga³⁺ in living cells.

通过2-羟基-1-萘醛与1-丝氨酸的席夫碱反应，设计并制备了一种简单的Ga ³⁺荧光探针。该探针已被证实可以根据荧光变化以比其他金属离子和常见阴离子更高的特异性有效监测Ga ³⁺。质谱（ESI-MS）和Job的图证明了探针与Ga ³⁺之间化学计量比为1：1的复合物形成。缔合常数（K）和检出限（LOD）计算为7.63×10 ³  M ^-1和0.11μM。并结合密度泛函理论（DFT）的计算和荧光寿命的变化，提出了探针对Ga ³⁺的检测机理。光诱导电子转移（PET）过程和激发态分子内质子转移（ESIPT）过程的抑制是该探针荧光增强的原因。另外，该探针显示出良好的细胞渗透性，并且还能够检测活细胞中的Ga ³⁺。