An ultrafast responsive BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for the detection of endogenous hypochlorite in live cells

Hypochlorite plays a significant role in various physiological and pathological processes; however, its role is still less clear than the role of other reactive oxygen species. Herein, we report an ultrafast responsive (<0.2 s) and highly selective probe B-Ts for hypochlorite with high sensitivity and a detection limit as low as 7.5 nM. The probe was compatible in a wide pH range of 4-13. More importantly, experiments in live cells showed that the probe could penetrate the cell membrane easily and was capable of imaging endogenous and exogenous hypochlorite specifically with a fast response.