Phospha-fluorescein: a red-emissive fluorescein analogue with high photobleaching resistance.

Phospha-fluorescein (POF), a phosphine oxide-containing analogue of fluorescein, was synthesized and its photophysical properties were examined. Compared with fluorescein and sila-fluorescein, POF displayed significantly red-shifted absorption and fluorescence as well as superior photobleaching resistance, while retaining the pH-responsive characteristics of fluorescein dyes.