Small fluorescent molecules have emerged as essential tools for contemporary analytical methodologies applied in the biosciences field [1]. In this regard, 2-amino-3-carbonitrile presents a set of features that suits them as the best fluorescent probes for biological applications [2]. They are characterized by presenting high photostability, molar absorption molar coefficients, and modest Stokes shifts, great features for fluorescence applications [3,4]. As such, they have been used in covalent and non-covalent labeling of amino acids, proteins, DNA, among other biological materials [5, 6].
The observed shifts of the electronic absorption and emission bands of organic compounds induced by solvents are commonly understood as an indication of the extent of charge reorganization upon electronic excitation.
Considering all these facts, we are interested in the study of the effect of seven solvents of different polarities on the fluorescence of three derivatives of 2-amino-3-carbonitrile. The results recorded were reported using fluorescence microscopy analysis.
The three compounds under study display fluorescence with wavelength shifts between 350 and 437 nm. The results support the concept that associated the polarity of the compounds with the solvents.