In order to detect high sensitivity and selective biothiol, we designed and synthesized a NIR probe based on a symmetrical squaraine derivative (Sq-TPE), with absorption and emission bands beyond 700 nm. Sq-TPE exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity towards biothiols over the other amino acids and bioanalytes. The addition of three biothiols results in significant color changes of Sq-TPE from cyan to yellow, and meanwhile ratiometric emission changes from red to orange. More excitingly, it shows detection limits as low as 9.8 nM for Cys, 12.4 nM for GSH and 9.7 nM for HCy, respectively.
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