Synthesis and photophysical properties of novel succinimidyl benzazole derivatives, evaluated by Candida albicans ATCC 10231 fluorescent staining

New fluorescent succinimidyl benzazole derivatives were synthesised and successfully used to stain Candida albicans ATCC 10231 cells. The dyes were characterised by means of infrared, 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. UV–Vis and steady-state fluorescence in solution were also applied to characterise their photophysical behaviour. The novel dyes were fluorescent in the yellow–green region by a phototautomerism in the excited state (ESIPT) with a large Stokes shift (9065–10962 cm−1). Dual fluorescence could also be observed depending on the solvent polarity. The present dyes were used as new probes by means of culture methodology or direct staining to study the micromorphology of Candida albicans.