A Highly K(+)-Selective Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe.

A highly K(+)-selective two-photon fluorescent probe for the in vitro monitoring of physiological K(+) levels in the range of 1-100 mM is reported. The two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) probe shows a fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of about three in the presence of 160 mM K(+), independently of one-photon (OP, 430 nm) or two-photon (TP, 860 nm) excitation and comparable K(+)-induced FEs in the presence of competitive Na(+) ions. The estimated dissociation constant (Kd ) values in Na(+)-free solutions (Kd (OP) =(28±5) mM and Kd (TP)=(36±6) mM) and in combined K(+)/Na(+) solutions (Kd (OP) =(38±8) mM and Kd (TP)=(46±25) mM) reflecting the high K(+)/Na(+) selectivity of the fluorescent probe. The TP absorption cross-section (σ2PA ) of the TPEF probe+160 mM K(+) is 26 GM at 860 nm. Therefore, the TPEF probe is a suitable tool for the in vitro determination of K(+).