Synthesis and photophysical properties of 8-arylbutadienyl 2′-deoxyguanosines

We have developed novel push–pull-type 8-arylbutadienyl 2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives, ABG (1a) and CBG (1b). These nucleosides exhibit strong solvent polarity dependent fluorescence emission at long wavelength (ca. 490–550 nm). These environmentally sensitive fluorescent deoxyguanosines are powerful tools for structural studies of nucleic acids and also in molecular diagnostics.