Asymmetric Dibenzothiophene Sulfones as Fluorescent Nuclear Stains

Asymmetric dibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides (DBTOOs) were synthesized and their photophysical properties examined. Through examination, the molecules fluoresced at wavelengths between 371 and 492 nm with quantum yields of fluorescence nearing 0.59. Three of the sulfonic acid sodium salt analogues were chosen to be introduced to HeLa cells, resulting in illumination of the nucleus by fluorescent microscopy. These compounds function as nuclear stains while also affording the ability to predict the localization of the corresponding sulfoxide precursor to ground-state atomic oxygen.