Synthesis and Optical Properties of the Conformationally Locked Diarylmethene Derivative of the GFP Chromophore

We report a novel derivative of the conformationally locked derivative of the green fluorescent protein chromophore, (Z)-5-((2-(difluoroboryl)-4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)methylene)-2-propyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-on. The presence of an additional aryl substituent in the structure causes a decrease in the fluorescence intensity and does not lead to absorption and emission spectra shifts. A promising direction of research is the replacement of this substituent with the electron-withdrawing groups, such as the nitrile or CF3 group, capable of more efficient conjugation with the pi-system of the molecule.

Automated summary

A novel derivative of the conformationally locked derivative of the green fluorescent protein chromophore is reported. The presence of an additional aryl substituent leads to a decrease in fluorescence intensity without causing absorption and emission spectra shifts. Future research can explore the use of electron-withdrawing groups for more efficient conjugation.