The synthesis and characterization of a series of caged neurotransmitters with two-photon sensitivity for use in vivo

The quinoline caging groups have potential for use in the release of bioactive molecules in vivo, and their two-photon sensitivity increases the potential spatial and temporal resolution of uncaging. Examining the photolyses of different 8-substituted quinolines in different solvent systems leads to a better understanding of the uncaging process of the quinoline caging groups. Additionally, described here is a series of quinoline-caged serotonins and capsaicinoids with sensitivity to 2PE for in vivo use in biological experiments. The reported compounds have by far the most favorable photochemical and photophysical properties for applications in cell biology and neurophysiology.