2-(4-Nitrophenyl)-1<i>H</i>-indolyl-3-methyl Chromophore: A Versatile Photocage that Responds to Visible-light One-photon and Near-infrared-light Two-photon Excitations

Abstract

Abstract Due to cell damage caused by UV light, photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) that are removed using visible or near-infrared light are attracting attention. A 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-indolyl-3-methyl chromophore (NPIM) was synthesized as a novel PPG. Various compounds were caged using this PPG and uncaged using visible or near-infrared light. Low cytotoxicity of NPIM indicates that it may be applied in physiological studies.