A Novel Enzyme-Triggered Domino Reaction Producing Fluorescent Quinoxalin-2(1H)-One-Based Heterocycles

A simple and effective biocompatible domino reaction triggered by a model protease and leading to formation of strongly fluorescent quinoxalin-2(1H)-one N-heterocycles is described. Some positive attributes including versatility and ability to provide outstanding fluorescence "OFF-ON" responses were revealed by this work. They open the way for practical applications of this novel type of "covalent-assembly" based fluorescent probes in the fields of sensing and bioimaging.