Red-emitting pyrene–benzothiazolium: unexpected selectivity to lysosomes for real-time cell imaging without alkalinizing effect

Abstract

A series of pyrene–benzothiazolium probes were synthesized. By replacing the pyridinium with a benzothiazolium unit, the selectivity of pyrene-derivatives is found to switch from nuclear to cellular lysosomes. New probes do not require proton participation and exhibit high biocompatibility and long-term imaging ability.