| Abstract: | A new dinuclear RuII polypyridyl complex, (bpy)2Ru(H2bpip)Ru(bpy)2]4+ ( RuH2bpip , bpy=2,2‐bipyridine, H2bpip=2,6‐pyridyl(imidazo4,5‐f]1,10]phenanthroline), was developed to act as a one‐ and two‐photon luminescent probe for biological Cu2+ detection. This RuII complex shows a significant two‐photon absorption cross section (400 GM) and displays a remarkable one‐ and two‐photon luminescence switch in the presence of Cu2+ ions. Importantly, RuH2bpip can selectively recognise Cu2+ in aqueous media in the presence of other abundant cellular cations (such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), trace metal ions in organisms (such as Zn2+, Ag+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, and Co2+), prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment (such as Cd2+, Hg2+, and Cr3+), and amino acids, with high sensitivity (detection limit≤3.33×10?8 M ) and a rapid response time (≤15 s). The biological applications of RuH2bpip were also evaluated and it was found to exhibit low cytotoxicity, good water solubility, and membrane permeability; RuH2bpip was, therefore, employed as a sensing probe for the detection of Cu2+ in living cells and zebrafish. |
