The present invention relates to the use of prodrugs susceptible to nitroreductase (NTR) activation. In particular, provided herein are mitochondria-targeting prodrug compounds and probes, including profluore scent near-infrared (NIR) probes and non-fluorescent prodrugs, as well as to methods of using said prodrug compounds and probes for imaging mitochondria and for mitochondria-specific delivery of therapeutic agents.