Rationally designed fluorescent probes using target specific cascade reactions

Since bioactive molecules bear inherent high chemical reactivities, molecular imaging of theses analytes of interest with reaction-based fluorescent probes would allow for real-time and noninvasive tracking in biological systems. In this review, we mainly summarize a selection of the very recent important accomplishment in the use of cascade reactions for the design of such fluorescent probes, including cascade reactions of S→N aromatic hydrocarbon transfer, quinone methide chemistry based reaction, disulfide-cleavage-triggered production of a five-membered cyclic carbamate, conjugate addition/cyclization sequence and H2S-initiated cleavage of sulfoxide linkage. Utilizing these results, we try to highlight the basic design concept for a useful probe possessing chemoselectivity and bioorthogonality.