Highly efficient Ca2+ chelation activated by visible light†
Abstract
Calcium ion (Ca2+) control is an essential tool in neuronal research. Herein, we report three thiocoumarin-based, visible light-activated Ca2+ chelators with quantum yields of 0.39, 0.52, and 0.83. The chelators demonstrated an over 105-fold increase in Ca2+ binding affinity upon irradiation. These chelators are efficiently triggered by biologically safer wavelengths, rendering them excellent candidates for use in neurological research and medicine.