New highly fluorescent amino-acid derivatives - Substituted 3-[2-(phenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]-alanines: Synthesis and photophysical properties

New derivatives of 3-[2-(phenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]alanine (Box-Ala) substitut ed at position 2' and 4' with OH, OMe, NMe2 groups were prepared. Fluoresce nce properties (spectra, quantum yields) of new compounds were determined a nd compared with parent molecules without amino acid moiety. It was establi shed that fluorescence properties of known benzoxazoles and new ones are si milar. In the case of 3-[2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]alanine ((o-OH )Box-Ala), presence of many different tautomeric forms in the ground state were found depending on solvent used. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.