Naphthalimide-based Probe with Strong Two-photon Excited Fluorescence and High Specificity to Cell Membranes

Abstract By introducing a long alkyl chain and a quaternary ammonium on the two sides of naphthalimide fluorophore, we have developed an amphiphilic probe NA with a high specificity toward cell membranes and strong two-photon excited fluorescence. Due to these advantageous features, NA demonstrates wash-free staining and high quality two-photon imaging of live cells.