An iminocoumarin–Cu(ii) ensemble-based chemodosimeter toward thiols

An 'ensemble'-based fluoregenic chemodosimeter 1-Cu(II) for detection of thiols is reported. Complex 1-Cu(II) sensitively senses thiols followed by hydrolysis to give a marked fluorescence enhancement over other amino acids at pH 7.4 under aqueous media. Confocal microscopic imaging of complex 1-Cu(II) is also herewith demonstrated for cellular thiol detection in HepG2 cells.