Methods of making dyes

A method of making a dye of the formula I:

• wherein C is a non-conjugated chain of 10-50 linear atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon and nitrogen that are further substituted by a hydrogen, an alkyl having 1-20 carbons, a hydroxyl, and a carbonyl;
• X is CR15R16;
• n is 0 or 3;
• R1, R2 and R3 are independently a hydrogen having 1-20 carbons, a cycloalkyl having 3-20 carbons, an aryl, a heteroaryl, an amino, an alkylamino, an arylamino, a thiol, an alkylthio or a RGM;
• R4-R16 are independently a hydrogen, an alkyl having 1-20 carbons, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy having 1-20 carbons, a fluorinated alkyl, a halogen, an alkylthiol, a sulfonyl, a carbonyl, a hydroxyl, an amino, an alkylthiol, a thiol, a sulfate, a phosphonate or a RGM;
• RGM is a carboxylic acid, an activated ester of a carboxylic acid, an acyl azide, an acyl nitrile, an imido ester, an isocyanate, an isothiocyanate, or a maleimide;
• wherein the biological substance is selected from a group consisting of a peptide, protein, nucleotide, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, lipid, membrane or cell.