Synthesis of selenium containing quinoline probe for superoxide sensing and its anticancer activity study

Herein, we have reported the highly effective use of the Knoevenagel condensation reaction to synthesize organoselenium containing quinoline-based probe. The probe was characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Infra-Red spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The probe selectively detects KO2 with high sensitivity over other reactive oxygen species and biothiols. Photo-induced electron transfer process is responsible for fluorescence “turn-on” event through transformation of selenide to selenoxide. The probe reacted with KO2 in less than a second with lower detection limit (0.14μM). The probe have better anticancer potency as compared to standard drug Cisplatin.