1-Acetylpyrene with dual functions as an environment-sensitive fluorophore and fluorescent photoremovable protecting group

A series of new fluorescent ester conjugates of carboxylic acids including amino acids was synthesized by coupling with an environment-sensitive fluorophore 1-acetylpyrene. Interestingly, the fluorescence properties of the ester conjugates and 1-acetylpyrene were found to be highly sensitive to its surrounding environment. The results obtained from the photolysis of the ester conjugates indicated that various factors like solvent, irradiation wavelength, and the structure of the conjugates govern the rate of the photocleavage.