Abstract: Protected triazabutadiene molecules, such as those according to Formula D or variations thereof, as probes for cellular studies in intact biological systems. The protected triazabutadiene probes selectively release benzene diazonium ions (BDIs) intracellularly, providing a tool for accessing and/or labeling intracellular proteins or molecules prior to cell lysis. The present invention also includes methods for synthesizing the protected triazabutadienes, the protected triazabutadienes themselves, and methods of use.