Silver ion (Ag+) has the functions of sterilization, anti-oxidation, electrolyte balance and metabolism promotion. Nevertheless, high content Ag+ can cause multiple harm to the human body. Similarly, sulfur is an essential trace element in the organism, which plays a huge role in normal physiological activities and is widely used in the treatment of diseases. But abnormal sulfide levels in vivo can induce many diseases. Accordingly, it is particularly important to develop detection methods with high sensitivity and selectivity of Ag+ and sulfide. Herein a 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor (NBV) was reported for sequential recognition of Ag+ and S2–. In the existence of Ag+, fluorescence of chemosensor NBV was significantly quenched due to the formation of complex NBV-Ag+. After continued addition of S2–, the fluorescence of the system was restored and largely consistent with that of NBV. The recognition mechanism of chemosensor NBV-Ag+ towards S2– can be attributed to the strong coordination between S2– and Ag+, which released NBV from the complex NBV-Ag+ and restored the fluorescence of the chemosensor NBV. The detection limits of chemosensor NBV towards Ag+ and S2– are 18.2 nM and 13.3 nM, respectively. Additionally, the sequential recognition of NBV towards Ag+ and S2– has many advantages of fast response speed, strong anti-interference ability, wide pH applicability and high biocompatibility. Most important of all, the chemosensor NBV has been successfully used for the fluorescence imaging of Ag+ and S2– in living cells and mice and has widely promising.

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