N-Bromosuccinimide-mediated dimerization of unsymmetrical indodicarbocyanine dyes

Abstract

The bromination of unsymmetrical indodicarbocyanine dyes bearing electron-donating groups (–NHCOCH3, –OH) on the aryl rings using N-bromosuccinimide produces dimeric molecules together with the corresponding meso-brominated dyes. The direction of the process depends on the reaction conditions. A possible reaction mechanism is also discussed.