Certain tricyclic and pentacyclic-hetero nitrogen rhodol dyes

Abstract

Novel fluorescent dyes based on the rhodol structure are provided. The new reagents contain functional groups capable of forming a stable fluorescent product with functional groups typically found in biomolecules or polymers including amines, phenols, thiols, acids, aldehydes and ketones. Reactive groups in the rhodol dyes include activated esters, isothiocyanates, amines, hydrazines, halides, acids, azides, maleimides, aldehydes, alcohols, acrylamides and haloacetamides. The products are detected by their absorbance or fluorescence properties. The spectral properties of the fluorescent dyes are sufficiently similar in wavelengths and intensity to fluorescein or rhodamine derivatives as to permit use of the same equipment. The dyes, however, show less spectral sensitivity to pH in the physiological range than does fluorescein, have higher solubility in non-polar solvents and have improved photostability and quantum yields.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.