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Published on: April 1, 2013
TMS-Diazomethane-Mediated Thione Dimerization Enables Access to Photoconvertible Diazaxanthilidene Dyes for Live-Cell
Joao Luiz P de Albuquerque1, Christopher L Johnny1, Leah G Raizen1
1Chemistry Department, University of Pennsylvania, 231 S 34th Street, Philadelphia19104, Pennsylvania, United States.
Abstract:
Diazaxanthilidene dyes are photoconvertible small-molecule fluorophores with applications in live-cell imaging. Synthetic access has been limited by challenging dimerization reactions required to construct the sterically hindered tetrasubstituted olefin core. Herein, we report a TMS-diazomethane-mediated thione dimerization, and key intermediate, that enables rapid access to this framework at room temperature. The method provides new methyl-substituted diazaxanthilidene derivatives, including sterically hindered scaffolds that retain photoconvertible behavior and compatibility with live-cell imaging applications.
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