Fluorescent polymethine cyanine dyes

Abstract

The invention encompasses fluorescent cyanine dyes and methods of using such dyes. In particular, the invention encompasses near infrared polymethine cyanine dyes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluorescent cyanine dye, wherein the fluorescent cyanine dye comprises Formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         X is selected from the group consisting of a heteroatom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and an alkynyl group; 
         R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and SO 3 Na and R 2  is hydrogen or R 1  and R 2  are (CH═CH) 2 ; 
         R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, and (CH 2 ) n SO 3 ; 
         R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; 
         R 5  is an aryl; and 
         n is an integer from 3 to 10. 
       
     
     
         2 . The fluorescent cyanine dye of  claim 1 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of heteroatom, alkenyl, and alkynyl. 
     
     
         3 . The fluorescent cyanine dye of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is SO 3 Na and R 2  is H. 
     
     
         4 . The fluorescent cyanine dye of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  and R 2  are (CH═CH) 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The fluorescent cyanine dye of  claim 1 , wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and selenium. 
     
     
         6 . The compound of  claim 1 , further comprising a biomolecule conjugated to the aryl. 
     
     
         7 . The compound of  claim 6 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a drug, a vitamin, and a small molecule. 
     
     
         8 . The compound of  claim 6 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of a peptide, a nucleic acid, a carbohydrate, and a lipid. 
     
     
         9 . The compound of  claim 8 , wherein the biomolecule is a peptide.