{7-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]coumarin-4-yl}methoxycarbonyl derivatives for photorelease of carboxylic acids, alcohols/phenols, thioalcohols/thiophenols, and amines

Light-induced release of biomolecules from inactive precursor molecules represents a powerful method to study cellular processes with high temporal and spatial resolution. Here we report the synthesis and photochemistry of a series of 17-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]coumarin-4-yl}methyl carboxylates, carbonates, carbamates, and thiocarbonates as potential photo-triggers for compounds with COOH, OH, NH2, and SH functions. The compounds are soluble in aqueous buffer, show low fluorescence, and are efficiently photolysed by irradiation with UV/Vis or IR light to release carboxylates, alcohols, phenols, amines, thioalcohols, or thiophenols.