Fluorescent styrenes for mitochondrial imaging and viscosity sensing

Abstract

AbstractFluorophores bearing cationic pendants, such as the pyridinium group, tend to preferentially accumulate in mitochondria, whereas those with pentafluorophenyl groups display a distinct affinity for the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we designed fluorophores incorporating pyridinium and pentafluorophenyl pendants and examined their impact on sub‐cellular localization. Remarkably, the fluorophores exhibited a notable propensity for the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, these fluorophores revealed dual functionality by facilitating the detection of viscosity changes within the sub‐cellular environment and serving as heavy‐atom‐free photosensitizers. With easy chemical tunability, wash‐free imaging, and a favorable signal‐to‐noise ratio, these fluorophores are valuable tools for imaging mitochondria and investigating their cellular processes.