Abstract: Compounds for determining the activity of phospholipase A2, are described herein, and include embodiments having formula (1) wherein L1 is derived from an ether (R1—OR2)m, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected and are derived from a hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, with m being an integer from 1 to 4, or from a hydrocarbon R having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; F is unsubstituted or substituted pyrene as a flouraphore; Q is a quencher, and L2 is C(O)-L1 or C(O)-L1-NH, wherein L1 is as defined above. These compounds may be used to determine the activity of phospholipase A2, in particular PAF-AH.