Synthesis and fluorescent properties of a new photostable thiol reagent “BACM”

The 3-maleimidocoumarin BACM ( 2d ) is a new tag designed to react with thiols in biological materials to form fluorescent derivatives whose emission is in the 500 nm (green) region with good resistance to fading. The fluorescence properties of its N-acetyl-L-cysteine derivative are described. BACM itself is non-fluorescent, as is its predecessor, DACM ( 1a ). A synthesis of BACM is reported which avoids the formation of nitrocoumarin isomers obtained in the reported synthesis of DACM. The synthesis of the related 3-(4-maleimidophenyl)coumarin is also described.