1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-cyanine

Description

## 1,1'-Diethyl-2,2'-cyanine: A Dyes with a Rich Research History

1,1'-Diethyl-2,2'-cyanine, also known as **pinacyanol**, is a **cyanine dye** with a distinctive blue-green color. It holds significant importance in research due to its unique properties and applications, particularly in:

**1. Photography:**

* **Early use:** Pinacyanol was initially synthesized in 1917 and revolutionized black-and-white photography by **increasing sensitivity to red light**. This allowed for shorter exposure times, particularly for indoor photography, and marked a major advancement in the field.
* **Sensitizing agent:** It serves as a **spectral sensitizer** in photographic emulsions, increasing their sensitivity to specific wavelengths of light. This property makes it crucial for **color photography** and various specialized photographic applications.

**2. Spectroscopy and Microscopy:**

* **Fluorescent properties:** Pinacyanol exhibits **fluorescence** and can be utilized as a **fluorescent probe** in various analytical techniques.
* **Optical microscopy:** It has been employed for **staining biological samples** and for applications like **immunofluorescence microscopy**, allowing researchers to visualize specific cellular structures and processes.

**3. Organic Electronics:**

* **Organic semiconductors:** Its molecular structure and properties make it a potential candidate for use in **organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)** and other organic electronic devices.
* **Photovoltaics:** Research is exploring its potential application in **organic solar cells** for capturing solar energy.

**4. Biomedical Research:**

* **Diagnostic tools:** Its fluorescence properties are being explored for developing **biomedical probes** for diagnosis and research.
* **Therapeutic potential:** Preliminary studies suggest its potential for **photodynamic therapy**, a treatment that uses light to activate specific drugs.

**5. Other Areas:**

* **Optical sensors:** Pinacyanol has been used in the development of **optical sensors** for detecting various analytes, like heavy metals.
* **Organic chemistry:** It serves as a valuable reagent and building block for synthesizing other complex organic molecules.

**Overall, 1,1'-Diethyl-2,2'-cyanine, despite being discovered over a century ago, remains a relevant and important compound in various fields of research. Its unique properties and applications continue to inspire scientists to explore its potential further.**

pseudoisocyanine: metachromatic quinoline tissue stain; may polymerize to yield different colors; also used in fluorescence cytochemistry may bind to DNA; minor descriptor (79-86); on-line & INDEX MEDICUS search QUINOLINES (79-86); RN given refers to parent cpd [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]