Synthesis of new fluorescent 2-(2′,2″-bithienyl)-1,3-benzothiazoles

Bithienyl-1,3-benzothiazole derivatives were synthesised by reacting various 5-formyl-5′-alkoxy- or 5-formyl-5′-N,N-dialkylamino-2,2′-bithiophenes with ortho-aminobenzenethiol in good to excellent yields. Evaluation of the fluorescence properties of these compounds was carried out. They show strong fluorescence in the 450–600 nm region, as well as high quantum yields and large Stokes’ shifts.