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Deoxyribonucleoside-modified squaraines as near-IR viscosity sensors
Yuanwei Zhang1, Xiling Yue, Bosung Kim
1Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 162366, Orlando, Florida 32816-2366 (USA).
Abstract:
Deoxyribonucleoside-modified squaraines were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling reactions using an unsymmetrical, terminal alkynylated benzothiazolium squaraine dye. These non-natural nucleosides exhibited fluorescent 'turn-on' properties in viscous conditions with an enhancement of >300-fold. The viscosity-dependent fluorescence enhancement was attributed to a combination of hampering both molecular aggregation and intramolecular bond rotation of the squaraine probe. Fluorescence microscopy allowed visualization of highly viscous regions during various stages of cellular mitosis.
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