A fluorescein derivative sensor 1 was synthesis and got its crystal structure.
Sensor 1 shows 50 nm bathochromic shifts and a large increase in the fluorescence intensity upon binding zinc in HEPES buffer solution.
Sensor 1 does not undergo spirolactam ring opening, whereas ring opening and hydrolysis take place in alkaline pH region.
Confocal microscopy experiments showed that 1 can be used for detection of Zn2+ levels (∼30 渭M) within living cells.