alkyne modified phospholipids can be unambiguously identified and differentiated from native species in complex mixtures by formation of dicobalthexacarbonyl complexes . 
 this reaction is specific for alkynes and is unaffected by other glycerophospholipid related moieties . 
 enrichment of cells with alkyne - derivatized fatty acids or glycerophospholipids followed by solid phase sequestration and release is a promising new method for unequivocally monitoring individual glycerophospholipids following incorporation and facilitates lipidomic analysis of substrates and products .