Two Dicyanostilbene-Based Two-Photon Fluorescence Environmentally Sensitive Probes with Large Two-Photon Absorption Cross Sections and Two-Photon Triple Fluorescence

Abstract

T he unusually sensitive solvatochromism of 2,5-dicyano-4-methyl-4’-dimethylaminostilbene (1a) whose emission maximum varies from 445 nm in cyclohexane to 641 nm in DMSO are described. 1a with remarkably large two-photon cross sections exhibits very strong polarity-, viscosity-, and temperature-dependence of fluorescence, and can be used to detect polarities, viscosities, and temperature. The successful application of 1a provides a brilliant prototype for the developments of ideal two-photon fluorescence probes.