An Organic Chemist's Guide to Fluorophores – Understanding Common and Newer Non-Planar Fluorescent Molecules for Biological Applications

Labeling and detection of biomolecules in vitro and in vivo is essential to many areas of biomedical science. Fluorophores stand as indispensable tools within chemical biology, underscoring the importance of fine-tuning their optical properties. This review focuses on methods for optimizing emission wavelength, quantum yield and photostability. We focus not just on the trends, but the fundamental physical organic chemistry concepts that inform the connection between molecular structure and fluorescent properties. This approach offers an essential understanding of fluorescence, enabling readers to develop a systematic analytical framework for thinking about fluorescence. Furthermore, an evaluation of newer non-planar fluorophores shines light on the bright future of fluorescent molecules.