Caged carboxyl compounds in which a 2-alkoxy-5-nitrophenyl photosensitive group blocks a carboxyl function are disclosed. Preferably the compounds are neuroactive amino acids. The compounds are photolyzable by laser pulses at wavelengths above about 300 nm within about 3 mu s and provide a product quantum yield of greater than about 0.2.
CAGED CARVOXYL COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE IN CHEMICAL KINETIC INVESTIGATION OF NEUROTRANSMITTER RECEPTORS