Synthesis, Characterization, and BSA Binding Properties of Carboxylated Merocyanine-Based Fluorophores.

This study describes the synthesis of new carboxylated merocyanine dyes by Knoevenagel condensation between 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and indolium/benzoindolium- and benzothiazolium-based coupling compounds. The condensations were performed in the presence of ammonium acetate, and the products were obtained in good yields after simple purification. These merocyanines exhibit UV-A-to-blue absorption and blue-to-green fluorescence emission, characterized by relatively large Stokes shift values (∼5000 cm).