Abstract

Background: Fluorescent probes are used in many techniques for detecting of nitroxyl, because of operational simplicity, high sensitivity and high spatiotemporal resolution.

Objective: The present review provides a brief look over the developments of organic fluorescent sensors for nitroxyl detection in biological systems. This review focuses mainly on recent advancements in the fluorescent probes for nitroxyl based on reduction of copper(II) complexes and phosphine-based probes, and is organized according to the mechanism of how the probes work.

Conclusion: Furthermore, the detection limits and performance of probes in living cells or animals have been particularly highlighted, which may be helpful for future design and development of more sensitive and robust fluorescent sensors for the nitroxyl detection.

Keywords: Fluorescent probe, nitroxyl, fluorescence imaging, detection mechanism, living cells, tissue and mice.

Graphical Abstract