Several novel fluorinated fluoresceins (Oregon Green dyes) were prepared by the reaction of fluororesorcinols with phthalic anhydride and its derivatives. A novel regiospecific synthesis of fluororesorcinols was key to the successful synthesis of these new fluorophores. (Polyfluoro)-nitrobenzenes were reacted with 2 equiv of sodium methoxide followed by reduction, hydrodediazoniation, and demethylation, giving the first straightforward synthesis of 2-fluororesorcinol, 4-fluororesorcinol, 2,4-difluororesorcinol, and 2,4,5-trifluororesorcinol. These fluorinated fluoresceins have higher photostability and ionize at a lower pH (pK(a) = 3.3-6.1) than fluorescein (pK(a) = 6.5). Some of the fluorinated fluoresceins have very high quantum yields (0.85-0.97), which, in combination with their lower pK(a)s and high photostability, makes them superior fluorescent dyes for use as reporter molecules in biological systems.
Several novel fluorinated fluoresceins (Oregon Green dyes) were prepared by the reaction of fluororesorcinols with phthalic anhydride and its derivatives. A novel regiospecific synthesis of fluororesorcinols was key to the successful synthesis of these new fluorophores. (Polyfluoro)-nitrobenzenes were reacted with 2 equiv of sodium methoxide followed by reduction, hydrodediazoniation, and demethylation, giving the first straightforward synthesis of 2-fluororesorcinol, 4-fluororesorcinol, 2,4-difluororesorcinol, and 2,4,5-trifluororesorcinol. These fluorinated fluoresceins have higher photostability and ionize at a lower pH (pK(a) = 3.3-6.1) than fluorescein (pK(a) = 6.5). Some of the fluorinated fluoresceins have very high quantum yields (0.85-0.97), which, in combination with their lower pK(a)s and high photostability, makes them superior fluorescent dyes for use as reporter molecules in biological systems.