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A series of structurally similar fluorescent probes (1-4), synthesized from rhodamine B, were designed to optically measure pH. Each probe had a unique "off-on" response as the solution went from basic to acidic. Probes 1-3 exhibited a spirocyclic quenching of the pyronin B fluorophore, whereas probe 4 was quenched by PET from the amine moiety.
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Best et al. (2010) studied this question.
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