Oligothiophene Amphiphiles as Planarizable and Polarizable Fluorescent Membrane Probes

Lessons from lobster coloration and the chemistry of vision suggested an approach to responsive fluorescent probes that can sense membrane potential, fluidity, and tension. Fluorophore deplanarization by lateral crowding along the scaffold (red circles) and fluorophore polarization by terminal donors (D), acceptors (A), and charges (+) are coupled to provide such membrane probes, as studies with unilamellar vesicles of phospholipids (DOPC, DPPC) show. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.