Abstract

A new coumarin-based 'turn-off' fluorescent probe, 7-(diethylamino)-N-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide (AGD) was synthesized. This compound is highly selective for ferrous ions (Fe2+) and can reversibly detect them in aqueous medium. The probe localizes to the cell membrane in living cells, where it can detect changes in Fe2+ concentration. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicate that AGD interacts with the lipid bilayer at the level of the glycerol moieties. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.