Modular Design and Scaffold-Synthesis of Multi-Functional Fluorophores for Targeted Cellular Imaging and Pyroptosis

Modified commercial fluorophores are essential tools for optical imaging and biomedical research. Their synthetic modification to incorporate new functions, however, remains a challenging task. Conventional strategies rely on linear synthesis in which a parent framework is gradually extended. We here designed and synthesized a versatile library of functional fluorophores via a scaffold-based Ugi four-component reaction (U-4CR). The adaptability of the scaffold is achieved through modification of starting materials. This allows to use a small range of starting materials for the creation of fluorogenic probes that can detect reactive-oxygen species and where the localization into subcellular organelles or membranes can be controlled. We present reaction yields ranging from 60% to 90% and discovered that some compounds can even function as imaging and therapeutic agents via Fenton chemistry inducing pyroptosis in living cancer cells. Our study underlines the potential of scaffold-based synthesis for versatile creation of functional fluorophores and their applications.