A new caging phototrigger based on a 2-acetonaphthyl chromophore

Irradiation (λ ∼ 350 nm in an aqueous environment) of carboxylic acid esters derived from the reaction between carboxylic acids and 2-bromo-1-(naphthalene-2-yl)ethanone affords the parent carboxylic acid in good yield, making the 2-acetonaphthyl chromophore a good phototrigger for caging applications, including biomolecular caging.