Quick and effective detection of biothiols in biological fluids has gained increasing attention due to its vital biological functions. In this paper, a novel reversible fluorescence chemosensor (
L-Cu
2+) based on a benzocoumarin-Cu
2+ ensemble has been developed for the
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Quick and effective detection of biothiols in biological fluids has gained increasing attention due to its vital biological functions. In this paper, a novel reversible fluorescence chemosensor (
L-Cu
2+) based on a benzocoumarin-Cu
2+ ensemble has been developed for the detection of biothiols (Cys, Hcy and GSH) in human urine. The chemosensing ensemble (
L-Cu
2+) contains a 2:1 stoichiometry structure between fluorescent ligand
L and paramagnetic Cu
2+.
L was found to exclusively bond with Cu
2+ ions accompanied with a dramatic fluorescence quenching maximum at 443 nm and an increase of an absorbance band centered at 378 nm. Then, the in situ generated fluorescence sluggish ensemble,
L-Cu
2+, was successfully used as a chemosensor for the detection of biothiols with a fluorescence “OFF-ON” response modality. Upon the addition of biothiols, the decomplexation of
L-Cu
2+ led to the liberation of the fluorescent ligand,
L, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence and absorbance spectra. Studies revealed that
L-Cu
2+ possesses simple synthesis, excellent stability, high sensitivity, reliability at a broad pH range and desired renewability (at least 5 times). The practical application of
L-Cu
2+ was then demonstrated by the detection of biothiols in human urine sample.
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