Unsymmetric indolylmaleimides: Synthesis, photophysical properties and amyloid detection

Various unsymmetric indolylmaleimides were synthesized. Their photophysical properties and affinities for amyloid fibrils were evaluated. Some unsymmetric indolylmaleimides have large Stokes shifts of more than 120 nm, fluorescence emission maxima wavelengths of more than 550 nm and different emissions under UV irradiation at 365 nm. From the results of histopathologic methods using stains, 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methyl-4-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione has high selectivity for amyloid fibrils in senile systemic amyloidosis.