Absolute configuration of axially chiral bisquinolones: DFT calculations and X-ray crystallography

► Axial chiral biscarbostyrils as fluorophores. ► Determination of absolute configuration by CD spectroscopy and TDDFT calculations. ► Corroboration of calculated assignment by X-ray crystallography of 3,3′-dibromo-6,6′,7,7′-tetramethoxy-4,4′-biscarbostyril. ► Simulation of UV/Vis absorption spectra.