An improved method for the preparation of asymmetric monomethine cyani
nes by the condensation of 6-substituted-2-iminobenzothiazolines and 1
-alkyl-4-methylquinolinium salts is described. The preparation can be
considered as being more environmentally friendly than the more usual
method involving condensation of 2-methylthio-3-methylbenzothiazolium
salts and 1-alkyl-4-methylquinolinium salts. The synthesis results in
the important fluorogenic intercalating dye thylbenzothiazoline-2-ylid
ene)methine]-quinolinium salts, or its derivatives with substituents a
t the 6-position in the benzothiazole nucleus. The starting materials
are commercially available or can be easily synthesized. The procedure
for the preparation of these biological non-covalent labels is simple
and reliable.