Near IR emitting isothiocyanato-substituted fluorophores: their synthesis and bioconjugation to monoclonal antibodies

Two near IR emitting fluorophores, based on the phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine chromophores, which also bear a single isothiocyanato group suitable for conjugation to proteins are reported; their utility as luminescent probes is demonstrated by conjugation to monoclonal antibodies and the ability of these conjugates to selectively bind cells bearing the relevant antigen.