Near-infrared fluorescent contrast bioimaging agents and methods of use thereof

A near-infrared fluorescent contrast agent according to Formula (I):

• Wherein
• Each R1 is independently H, OR′, halogen, sulfonato, substituted or unsubstituted amino, C(O)NH—C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or phenyl;
• Each R2 is independently H, OR′, halogen, sulfonato, substituted or unsubstituted amino, C(O)NH—C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or phenyl;
• Or R1 and R2 can be taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 5-6 membered aryl or heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyl, —SO2OH, or —CO2H;
• Each R3 is independently H, OR′, halogen, sulfonato, substituted or unsubstituted amino, C(O)NH—C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or phenyl;
• Q is H, alkyl optionally substituted with alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —N+(alkyl)3, —OCO-alkyl, —SO2OH, phenyl, sulfonato, phosphates, KUE, GPI,—or —NR3R4R5, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are each independently for each occurrence H or C1-C4 alkyl, or R4 and R5, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring;
• X and Y are each independently O, S, Se, C(R″)2, NR′″;
• Z is H, halogen, CN, R6, OR6, SR6, NHR6 or CH2R6, in which R6 is optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkyl-N3, aryl-N3, aryl-halogen;
• Each R′ is independently H, alkyl or aryl;
• Each R″ is independently H or alkyl;
• Each R′″ is independently H, alkyl, alkyl-SO3H, or alkyl-COOH;
• m and n are independently an integer from 0-3;
• and
• L is an anion;
• or a salt, solvate, hydrate, polymorph, prodrug, or stereoisomer thereof.