Facile synthesis of fluorescent distyrylnaphthalene derivatives for bioapplications

A series of novel 2,6-bis(4-aminostyryl) naphthalene based derivatives were synthesized and their spectroscopic properties investigated. Due to their low cytotoxicity, suitable optical properties and potential affinity towards biological structures these derivatives were proved to be promising dyes for application in fluorescence-based bioimaging. Selective intercalation of the tested compounds into cell membranes was revealed by fluorescence microscopy.