Starting from 7-hydroxyisoflavones, we developed a new class of fluorescent scaffolds, 3-alkyl-6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-chromones (AMHCs, MW ∼ 205.19, λab ∼ 350 nm, λem ∼ 450 nm) via a trial and error process. AMHCs have the advantages of being a small molecular moiety, having strong fluorescence in basic buffers, reasonable solubility and stability, non-toxicity, and are conveniently linked to pharmacophores. AMHCs were successfully used in fluorescence microscopy imaging of cells and tissues.
