Rapid Synthesis, Screening, and Identification of Xanthone- and Xanthene-Based Fluorophores Using Click Chemistry

A panel of new fluorophores with emission wavelengths from blue to yellow regions using the Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of alkyne-functionalized xanthones and xanthenes with various azides have been synthesized. Screening of the click products led to the identification of hit fluorophores which showed a fluorescence increase upon triazole formation. These novel click fluorophores could potentially be used for bioconjugation and bioimaging purposes.