The invention is directed to latent reactive and polymerizable derivatives of fluorescent stilbene-based compounds. The compounds can be used to provide articles with a fluorescence property, such as medical devices (e.g., catheters). The fluorescent compounds can be used in association with polymers, or can be incorporated into polymers, and the polymers used in a coating composition on the article surface. The compounds allow for visual or machine inspection of coating properties such as uniformity of coverage.

The invention is directed to latent reactive and polymerizable derivatives of fluorescent stilbene-based compounds. The compounds can be used to provide articles with a fluorescence property, such as medical devices (e.g., catheters). The fluorescent compounds can be used in association with polymers, or can be incorporated into polymers, and the polymers used in a coating composition on the article surface. The compounds allow for visual or machine inspection of coating properties such as uniformity of coverage.

A composition including a N-[4-[[4-(diethyl amino) phenyl](2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt, where the N-4-4-(diethylamino)phenyl (2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt is at least 90% of the weight of such composition. A method of making the composition by a process including sulphonating 2-chlorobenzaldehyde, treatment with sodium sulphite and subsequent basification, a condensation step, an oxidation step and a purification step comprising utilizing HPLC to monitor the sulphonating step, the treatment step, the condensation step, and/or the oxidation step, to determine when one or more reactions of such sulphonating step, treatment step, condensation step, and/or oxidation step are substantially complete and ending such one or more reactions on the basis of the HPLC monitoring. The purification step utilizes flash chromatography to obtain a high purity N-[4-[[4-(diethyl amino) phenyl](2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt.

A composition including a N-[4-[[4-(diethyl amino) phenyl](2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt, where the N-4-4-(diethylamino)phenyl (2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt is at least 90% of the weight of such composition. A method of making the composition by a process including sulphonating 2-chlorobenzaldehyde, treatment with sodium sulphite and subsequent basification, a condensation step, an oxidation step and a purification step comprising utilizing HPLC to monitor the sulphonating step, the treatment step, the condensation step, and/or the oxidation step, to determine when one or more reactions of such sulphonating step, treatment step, condensation step, and/or oxidation step are substantially complete and ending such one or more reactions on the basis of the HPLC monitoring. The purification step utilizes flash chromatography to obtain a high purity N-[4-[[4-(diethyl amino) phenyl](2,5-disulfophenyl)methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-ethylethanaminium sodium salt.