Non-aggregating heptamethine cyanine fluorophores for in vivo imaging

A conjugate or conjugate precursor, or stereoisomer thereof, according to Formula I:

• wherein m is 3, 4, or 5;
• n is 1, 2, or 3;
• each p independently is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10;
• R1 is —CR22— where each R2 independently is H, halo, optionally substituted aliphatic, or optionally substituted aryl;
• R3 and R4 independently are aliphatic;
• R5 to R10 independently are H or aliphatic;
• R11 and R12 independently are a sulfonate-containing group;
• R13 to R16 independently are aliphatic;
• Ra is —(R1)qC(O)Rc where q is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10;
• each Rb independently is C1-C5 aliphatic;
• and
• Rc is a targeting agent-containing group,
• where y is an integer ≥1, or OH.