The synthesis and photophysical analysis of a series of 4-nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles for super-resolution microscopy

A series of 4-nitrobenzodiazoles with atomic substitution through the chalcogen group were synthesised and their photophysical properties analysed with a view for use in single-molecule localisation microscopy. Sub-diffraction resolution imaging was achieved for silica nanoparticles coated with each dye. Those containing larger atoms were favoured for super-resolution microscopy due to a reduced blink rate (required for stochastic events to be localised). The sulfur containing molecule was deemed most amenable for widespread use due to the ease of synthetic manipulation compared to the selenium containing derivative.