Vinyl-diazine triphenylamines and their N-methylated derivatives: Synthesis, photophysical properties and application for staining DNA

In this paper we describe the synthesis of vinyl-diazine triphenylamines. These compounds exhibit strong green–yellow fluorescence in dichloromethane solution, important emission solvatochromism and acidochromism. Regioselective N-alkylation of these dyes provides cationic compounds that exhibit affinity for double-stranded DNA. Binding to the biopolymer results in a strong bathochromic shift and increase of the emission intensity.

► Vinyl-diazine triphenylamines have been synthesized.
► Strong green–yellow fluorescence in dichloromethane solution is observed.
► Emisision solvatochromism and acidochromism is also observed.
► N-alkylation of these dyes leads to DNA strainers.