Synthesis and evaluation of spectroscopic properties of newly synthesized push–pull 6-amino-8-styryl purines

New 6-amino-8-styryl purines were synthesized using direct C–H bond functionalization. These push–pull compounds showed strong fluorescence, high quantum yields and a noteworthy fluorosolvatochromism. Deprotected purines 7a–c are promising targets for incorporation into nucleic acids as they are still fluorescent in aqueous media.