Abstract: Novel fluorescent dyes based on the rhodol structure are provided. The new reagents contain functional groups capable of forming a stable fluorescent product with functional groups typically found in biomolecules or polymers including amines, phenols, thiols, acids, aldehydes and ketones. Reactive groups in the rhodol dyes include activated esters, isothiocyanates, amines, hydrazines, halides, acids, azides, maleimides, aldehydes, alcohols, acrylamides and haloacetamides. The products are detected by their absorbance or fluorescence properties. The spectral properties of the fluorescent dyes are sufficiently similar in wavelengths and intensity to fluorescein or rhodamine derivatives as to permit use of the same equipment. The dyes, however, show less spectral sensitivity to pH in the physiological range than does fluorescein, have higher solubility in non-polar solvents and have improved photostability and quantum yields.

Abstract: Novel fluorescent dyes based on the rhodol structure are provided. The new reagents contain functional groups capable of forming a stable fluorescent product with functional groups typically found in biomolecules or polymers including amines, phenols, thiols, acids, aldehydes and ketones. Reactive groups in the rhodol dyes include activated esters, isothiocyanates, amines, hydrazines, halides, acids, azides, maleimides, aldehydes, alcohols, acrylamides and haloacetamides. The products are detected by their absorbance or fluorescence properties. The spectral properties of the fluorescent dyes are sufficiently similar in wavelengths and intensity to fluorescein or rhodamine derivatives as to permit use of the same equipment. The dyes, however, show less spectral sensitivity to pH in the physiological range than does fluorescein, have higher solubility in non-polar solvents and have improved photostability and quantum yields.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel fluorescent dyes based on the following pyrenyloxy sulfonic acid structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 is --OCH.sub.2 C(O)OCH.sub.3, --OCH.sub.2 CON(O)H, --OCH.sub.2 CON.sub.3, --OCH.sub.2 CONHNH.sub.2, ##STR2## or --CH.sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.n NH.sub.2 where n is an integer from 1 to 10; at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 is sulfonic acid or alkali salts of sulfonic acid; and all other of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are hydrogen or a hydroxyl group. The new reagents contain functional groups typically found in biomolecules or polymers. The spectral properties of the fluorescent dyes are sufficiently different in wavelengths and intensity from fluorescein as to permit simultaneous use of both dyes with minimum interference.