Modular development of organelle-targeting fluorescent probes for imaging formaldehyde in live cells.

Formaldehyde (FA) is endogenously generated fundamental biological processes in living systems. Aberrant FA homeostasis in subcellular microenvironments is implicated in numerous pathological conditions. Fluorescent probes for detecting FA in specific organelles are thus of great research interest.

Systematic investigation of the aza-Cope reaction for fluorescence imaging of formaldehyde and .

Increasing evidence has highlighted the endogenous production of formaldehyde (FA) in a variety of fundamental biological processes and its involvement in many disease conditions ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. To examine the physiological and pathological relevance and functions of FA, fluorescent probes for FA imaging in live biological samples are of great significance. Herein we report a systematic investigation of 2-aza-Cope reactions between homoallylamines and FA for identification of a highly efficient 2-aza-Cope reaction moiety and development of fluorescent probes for imaging FA in living systems.