Synthesis of a photoactivatable phospholipidic probe containing tetrafluorophenylazide

In order to study lipid–lipid and lipid–protein interactions using a photolabeling approach, we synthesized and characterized a phospholipidic probe in which the photoactivatable tetrafluorophenylazido group is incorporated into the fatty acid chain. This probe is stable in the dark and becomes highly reactive upon being exposed to photoirradiation. It shows fast, clear-cut photochemical reactions and holds promise for further use to study lipid–lipid and protein–lipid interactions.