Syntheses, characterization and fluorescent properties of two series of dehydroabietic acid C-ring derivatives

Two series of dehydroabietic acid C-ring derivatives, nitrogen-containing heterocycles (6a-9b) and C-12 substituted compounds (10a-11b), were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, IR, NMR and MS. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of these compounds have been comparatively investigated, and their fluorescence quantum yields were further evaluated. Compared to dehydroabietic acid 1, the absorption and emission spectra of these compounds were bathochromically shifted due to the multiple aromatic rings with rigid planar structures or the larger conjugation of benzene moiety.