Near-infrared TBET cassette with ultra large stokes shift and its application for SO2 imaging in cells

Abstract A simple imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-hemicyanine-based near-infrared (NIR) TBET cassette was designed and synthesized. This cassette exhibits ultra large Stokes shifts (400 nm). Furthermore, the cassette has high selectivity and sensitivity toward sulfur dioxide in water. It was practically applied for detecting SO2 derivatives in living cells.