Abstract A novel ruthenium(II) polypyridine complex with an imidazole group linked with a conjugated structure has been synthesized and functioned as a novel luminescent probe for the quick and accurate detection of Cu2+. The coordination with Cu2+ resulted into the formation of stable cyclic structure which leads to luminescence quenching of RuL at the 621 nm. Under the optimal conditions, the linear concentration range was obtained from 0.25–12.0 μM and the corresponding detection limits were calculated to be 83.3 nM (S/N = 3) which is far lower than prescribed permissible limit by World Health Organization. The developed RuL luminescent probe has been applied for the detection of Cu2+ in environmental water sample successfully. Furthermore, the RuL probe applied in the cell imaging for detection of Cu2+, indicating its suitability for application in vivo. Thus, a simple and quick method has been established with high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of Cu2+.

中文翻译：

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Ru(II)-联吡啶配合物作为用于 Cu2+ 检测和细胞成像的高灵敏度发光探针

摘要 合成了一种咪唑基团与共轭结构相连的新型钌(II)多吡啶配合物，可作为一种新型发光探针，用于快速准确检测Cu2+。与 Cu2+ 的配位导致形成稳定的环状结构，导致 RuL 在 621 nm 处的发光猝灭。在最佳条件下，线性浓度范围为 0.25–12.0 μM，计算出相应的检测限为 83.3 nM (S/N = 3)，远低于世界卫生组织规定的允许限值。研制的RuL发光探针已成功应用于环境水样中Cu2+的检测。此外，RuL 探针应用于细胞成像检测 Cu2+，表明其适用于体内应用。因此，建立了一种简单、快速、灵敏度高、特异性强的检测Cu2+的方法。