Solvatochromic fluorophores based on 6-fluoro-2-(aryl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acids: Synthesis, optical studies and evaluation of their antimicrobial and larvicidal properties.

6-Fluoro-2-(aryl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acids 1-11 were synthesized via Pfitzinger reactions between 5-fluoroisatin and methyl aryl ketones. The molecules were studied regarding the impact of their substituent patterns (a-e) on their optical and bioactivity properties. All compounds were fluorescent in solution and had significant solvatochromic behavior, measured in tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, methanol, and water at different pHs.