Dual-Responsive Near-Infrared BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of F^– and HClO in Organisms

Fluoride anions (F^–) play a crucial role in human physiological processes. However, excessive intake of F^– would affect oxygen metabolism and promote the generation of oxygen-free radicals. Hence, it is essential to develop a precise and efficient fluorescent probe for visualizing F^–-induced oxidative stress. In this work, we developed the first bifunctional BODIPY-based fluorescent probe dfBDP with p-tert-butyldimethylsilanolate benzyl thioether as the sensing site for the detection of F^– and HClO via two distinct reactions, the self-immolative removal and the thioether oxidation, which generate the sensing products with two nonoverlap fluorescence bands: 800–1200 and 500–750 nm, respectively. The probe dfBDP displays rapid response, high specificity, and sensitivity for the detection of F^– (LOD, 316.2 nM) and HClO (LOD, 33.9 nM) in vitro. Cellular imaging reveals a correlation between F^–-induced oxidative stress and the upregulation of HClO. Finally, probe dfBDP was employed to detect F^– and HClO in mice under the stimulation of F^–. The experimental results display that the level of HClO elevates in the liver of mice.