Styrylpyridine salts-based red emissive two-photon turn-on probe for imaging the plasma membrane in living cells and tissues.

Based on styrylpyridine salts, a small-molecule red emitting membrane probe with large two-photon absorption cross-section has been synthesized. As a molecular rotor, it enables exclusive lighting up of the plasma membrane in live cells and particular tissues. This probe has the potential to be a powerful tool for bioimaging.