Dye-labeled aromatic azides for multi-photon grafting

Abstract The synthesis of two dye-labeled azides via de-symmetrization 2,6-bis(4-azidobenzylidene)-4-methylcyclohexanone (BAC-M) with a copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) using fluorescent dyes is reported. An alkyne functionalized dansyl derivative and an perylene diimide were used as the dyes. photo-physical properties these dye dyads are described, their performance in multi-photon grafting onto polyethylene glycol-based hydrogels investigated. While dansyl-conjugated BAC derivate well suited for lasers operating at 800 nm, diimide-bearing does not give desired result. Graphical abstract