A selective fluorescent probe for thiols based on α,β-unsaturated acyl sulfonamide

We report herein a novel fluorescent probe based on α,β-unsaturated acyl sulfonamide to detect thiols. The probe has good water solubility and reacts with thiols under aqueous conditions. It reacts selectively with cysteine but not with the other natural amino acids. The probe was subsequently applied to detect intracellular thiols.