Synthetic routes to 3-alkylsulfanyl-6-aryl-diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrroles--a class of efficient, visible light excitable fluorophores.

Sulfide derivatives of diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (SDPPs) were prepared in a one-pot procedure from arylpyrrolinones, isothiocyanates and alkylating agents, and their properties as fluorophores were evaluated.