Pyridine-Si-xanthene: A novel near-infrared fluorescent platform for biological imaging

Pyridine-Si-xanthene, a novel near-infrared fluorescent dye, dispalys better photophysical properties compared with Si-rhodamines including improved modifiability and red-shifted emission wavelength. The application is exemplified through the development of a lysosomes-targeting probe capable of imaging cysteine in cells and in vivo.