Synthesis and Applications of Small Fluorescent Molecules

Fluorescent molecules play an important role in synthetic chemistry due to their vast applications from their applicability in sensors in the medicinal field. These molecules cover a range of systems from monomeric to polymeric but more attention has been given to the development of small molecules that are of high relevance. One can ask about the factors which direct small molecules as a core centre of research in sensor chemistry. Strong emission, better molar absorptivity, molar extinction coefficient and small molecular weight are some of the important points that govern the high applicability of fluorescent molecules in sensor chemistry. But first, it is important to know what these properties are, and how these properties play a crucial role to govern fluorescent molecules as a tool to utilize in various fields of sensor chemistry. Fluorescent molecules have been extensively used in the field of physiology of receptors, as sensors for metal ions (generally transition metals) and ROS (reactive oxygen species), bio-imaging and pharmacology, etc.

Keywords: Auxochrome, BODIPY, Biological Importance/Function, Chromophore, Energy Transfer Mechanism, Fluorescein, Fluorescent Probe, Fluorescence, Quantum Yield, Reactive Oxygen species (ROS), Sensors.