Structural and photophysical properties of novel dual fluorescent compounds, 1-aryl-substituted 6-methoxy-4-quinolones.

Dual fluorescent compounds are useful platforms for the development of ratiometric probes and sensors. We have developed a new series of dual fluorescent compounds, 1-aryl-substituted 6-methoxy-4-quinolones, and investigated their structural and photophysical properties. The X-ray crystallographic analysis and ab initio quantum chemical calculations revealed that the developed compounds exhibited 60-75 degrees twisted structures. The dual fluorescence of the compounds were observed in polar solvents, and the ratiometric fluorescence responses to alterations in the acidity and temperature were obtained.