The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

Provided herein are heterocyclic near infrared compounds, including near IR compounds defined by Formulae I-V described herein. The near infrared compounds can include a cyanine group, a phthalocyanine group, a naphthalocyanine group, a squaraine group, a carbocyanine group, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can be charged. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can comprise a cationic group. Compositions comprising the near infrared compounds are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition can contain the near infrared compound, a polymer, and an acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the polymer can include an anionic group. The compositions can be used as a coating for marking a surface, such as an ink. The compositions can also be used on articles for detecting, identifying, or authenticating the article. Methods of making the compositions described herein are also disclosed.

A compound having a high tumor accumulation rate, or a salt thereof, and a contrast agent for optical imaging are provided. A compound having at least one specific organic dye covalently bound to polyethylene glycol, or a salt thereof is provided.

Disclosed is a novel compound represented by formula (1) below. In the formula, A represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring or aromatic heterocyclic group, B represents a group including a chain of one to four pieces of one or more groups selected from groups represented by specific formulae (B-1) to (B-13) (such as —C═C— or —N═N—, specifically see the description), R1 to R3 each represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon or hydrocarbonoxy group, at least one of R1 to R3 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbonoxy group, R4 and R5 each represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, R4 and R5 may be linked together to form a ring, and R4 and R5 may be each independently linked with A to form a ring ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to novel methine dyes, methods for the preparation thereof and use thereof for dyeing plastics, especially polyamides, so as to obtain yellow to orange colourings with improved light fastness and improved thermal stability. Such dyes include a dye of the formula (I) ##STR00001## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen, COOH or COOR.sup.11, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, COOH, COOR.sup.12 or CN, R.sup.3 is alkyl or phenyl, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently alkyl, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.19 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or COOR.sup.13, and R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are each independently alkyl.

Voltage sensitive dyes comprising boron and related compositions and methods are provided. In some embodiments, a voltage sensitive dye comprises an electron acceptor comprising boron. The electron acceptor may be attached (e.g., covalently) to at least one electron donating group and at least one polar group. For instance, the electron acceptor may comprise optionally substituted boron dipyrromethene (e.g., optionally substituted 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene). The point of attachment and chemical nature of the electron donating group(s) and polar group(s) may be selected to impart beneficial properties to the voltage sensitive dye. For instance, the voltage sensitive dye may have an extended difference in the dipole moment between the ground and electronic states due at least in part to the position of the electron donating group(s). The voltage sensitive dyes, described herein, may have high specificity, high signal to noise ratio, fast responsivity, high voltage sensitivity, high photostability, and/or high brightness.

Voltage sensitive dyes comprising boron and related compositions and methods are provided. In some embodiments, a voltage sensitive dye comprises an electron acceptor comprising boron. The electron acceptor may be attached (e.g., covalently) to at least one electron donating group and at least one polar group. For instance, the electron acceptor may comprise optionally substituted boron dipyrromethene (e.g., optionally substituted 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene). The point of attachment and chemical nature of the electron donating group(s) and polar group(s) may be selected to impart beneficial properties to the voltage sensitive dye. For instance, the voltage sensitive dye may have an extended difference in the dipole moment between the ground and electronic states due at least in part to the position of the electron donating group(s). The voltage sensitive dyes, described herein, may have high specificity, high signal to noise ratio, fast responsivity, high voltage sensitivity, high photostability, and/or high brightness.

Provided are a protective sheet and a spectacle lens including at least one dye selected from the group consisting of a dye represented by Formula (1) and a dye represented by Formula (2), and application thereof. In Formula (1), R.sup.71 to R.sup.74 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or the like. In Formula (2), R.sup.21 represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, or the like, R.sup.22 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, and at least one of R.sup.21 or R.sup.22 is an alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms. n represents 0 or 1, and m represents an integer of 1 to 5. ##STR00001##

Encrypted markers that are not readily detectable can be revealed by treatment with a specific reagent used as a developer to reveal a readily detectable physical property of the marker, such as a characteristic fluorescence emission after excitation with a particular excitation wavelength, or to reveal a visible color. The encrypted marker can be developed in situ, or a sample can be removed by brushing, scraping, swabbing or scratching the marked object or item and developing the encrypted marker or a sample thereof with the appropriate developer to reveal an overt marker or optical signal. The encrypted marker may include a DNA taggant.

The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.