Dichromic fluorescent compounds

A method for monitoring a biological event in a subject, the method comprising administering a dichromic compound to the subject and detecting whether the structural symmetry of the compound changes, thereby indicating the biological event;

• the dichromic compound comprising:
• A-L-B
• wherein:
• A and B are either structurally symmetrical moieties or are each structurally asymmetrical moieties;
• L is a linker comprising a chromophore;
• and
• the compound further comprising R1 and R2, wherein R1 and R2 are structurally distinct groups that are each either conjugated to the compound comprising structurally symmetrical A and B moieties in a manner that yields asymmetry such that the compound has two distinct fluorescence lifetimes at two different emission wavelengths;
• or R1 and R2 are each conjugated to the compound comprising structurally asymmetrical A and B moieties in a manner that yields symmetry such that the compound has two distinct fluorescence lifetimes at two different emission wavelengths.

A process for producing a dichromic compound, the compound comprising:

• A-L-B
• wherein:
• A and B are either structurally symmetrical moieties or are each structurally asymmetrical moieties;
• L is a linker comprising a chromophore;
• the compound further comprising R1 and R2;
• the process comprising conjugating R1 and R2, which are structurally distinct groups, to the compound comprising structurally symmetrical A and B moieties in a manner that yields asymmetry such that the compound has two distinct fluorescence lifetimes at two different emissions wavelengths;
• or conjugating R1 and R2 to the compound comprising structurally asymmetrical A and B moieties in a manner that yields symmetry such that the compound has two distinct fluorescence lifetimes at two different emissions wavelengths.