Nano fluorescent probe based on acyclic cucurbituril for Fe3+ detection in cells

Fe³⁺ is an essential element for the human body, and its regulation in cells is associated with serious diseases. Therefore, the ability to detect Fe³⁺ in living cells is highly valuable. In this study, we successfully developed a novel supramolecular fluorescent probe (ACB-TPE), based on an acyclic cucurbituril and tetraphenylethylene derivatives. The ACB-TPE probe retains the aggregation-induced emission property of TPE, and it can achieve highly specific recognition of Fe³⁺ ions without interference from other metal ions, anions, or amino acids. The binding constant between ACB-TPE and Fe³⁺ is 1.42 × 10⁵, and the detection limit is 8.36 × 10⁻⁸ M. Additionally, the probe displayed a high response speed to Fe³⁺. Importantly, the ACB-TPE probe exhibited strong fluorescence emission in living cells, enabling the detection of Fe³⁺ through bioimaging. These make it a valuable tool for studying the role of Fe³⁺ regulation in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis. A significant contribution to the field of cellular metal ion detection and regulation is made by the probe’s unique properties and applications.