Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is endogenously produced in the body by a few enzymes, allowing it to act as a signaling molecule. Studies of the enzymes responsible linked H2S to diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, and diabetes. While some estimates about the exact concentration of H2S in cells have been proposed, a way to directly, accurately, and easily test for H2S in cells has not been established. Past research has shown promise in using fluorescence to be both selective and sensitive in H2S detection. Here, a fluorescent molecule with an electrophilic deactivating group attached to “turn off” the fluorescence is investigated. H2S cleaves the deactivating group restoring or “turning on” fluorescence. Coumarin-based fluorophores are paired with deactivating groups dinitrobenzene (DNP), sulfonyl dinitrobenzene (S-DNP) or an azido group. The DNP and S-DNP probes have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The DNP probe shows no response to H2S. However, the S-DNP functionalized probe showed an increase in fluorescence in the presence of increasing H2S. The selectivity of the S-DNP probe for H2S over biological thiols (glutathione and cysteine), common anions and reactive oxygen species will be presented. The azide probe will be synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR. Afterwards, the probe will be analyzed by response to H2S and if responds its selectivity towards H2S in conditions described previously.

Detection of hydrogen sulfide with a coumarin-based fluorescent probe

2019 Spring National Meeting

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