Arylstyrylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based donor–acceptor acidochromic fluorophores: Synthesis, photophysical, thermal and biological properties

• A series of new fluorescent arylstyrylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was synthesized and fully characterized.
• The absorption and emission properties of the compounds change drastically upon acidification.
• The compounds show good thermal stability for practical applications.
• They show DNA cleavage activity.

A series of new fluorescent arylstyrylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was synthesized and fully characterized. It is observed that the E isomers are stable in the solid state and in solutions. The absorption and emission properties of the compounds changed drastically upon acidification. The compounds showed good thermal stability for practical applications. In addition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and DNA-cleavage activity of the compounds were examined. The results indicate that the compounds did not show any antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. However, they caused decreased mobility of form I DNA and also showed DNA cleavage activity.

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