An iridium‐based phosphorescence probe for HClO/ClO⁻ detection and application of recognizing exogenous/endogenous HClO/ClO⁻ in cells

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) and its ionic form (ClO⁻), as important components of reactive oxygen species, were produced mainly in mitochondria and participated in various biological processes, and they abnormal level could cause various diseases and threaten human health. Hence, a “turn‐on” phosphorescent probe Ir‐DAMN based on Ir (III) complex was synthesized to monitor HClO/ClO⁻ in DMF/PBS solution and living cells. Due to isomerization of C=N bond, probe Ir‐DAMN exhibited very weak phosphorescence initially, which displayed obvious phosphorescent enhancement at 620 nm after upon addition with ClO⁻. Confocal bioimaging experiments implied that probe Ir‐DAMN possessed good cell membrane permeability, specific localization of mitochondria and could achieve detection of exogenous and endogenous HClO/ClO⁻ in the living cells.