long-lived iridium(III) complex probe Ir_l for bisulfite detection has been synthesized. The iridium(III) complex probe Ir_1, containing double aldehyde groups in the N (N) over cap donor ligand, can react with bisulfite to form an adduct with enhanced luminescence. The interaction of probe Ir_l with bisulfite was investigated through NMR and emission titration experiments. Upon the addition of bisulfite, probe Ir_1 displayed more than a 4-fold luminescence enhancement, and a detection limit of 0.35 mu,M was recorded. Probe Ir_l shows a large Stokes shift (280 nm) and a long-lived luminescence which allows it to be distinguished from autofluorescent media through time-resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES). Finally, the applications of probe hi to the detection of bisulfite in living cells and zebrafish were described. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.