GHPhen

GHPhen is a synthetic organic compound first reported in the early 1990s as part of a series of phenanthrene derivatives studied for their photophysical properties. The molecule consists of a phenanthrene core substituted at positions 2 and 7 with hydroxyl groups and bearing a nitrogen‑containing side chain that confers water solubility. In its pure form GHPhen is a pale yellow crystalline solid that displays a strong absorption band near 410 nm and emits fluorescence in the green region. The compound is typically synthesized by a Friedländer condensation of 2‑hydroxy‑3‑bromobenzaldehyde with 1,2‑diaminobenzene, followed by a nucleophilic substitution step to introduce the hydrophilic side chain.

GHPhen has been employed as a fluorescent probe in biological imaging, where its ability to penetrate cell membranes and emit in the green-visible range makes it useful for labeling mitochondria and lysosomes. It has also found limited use in polymer chemistry as a reactive monomer for constructing conjugated polymer backbones with tunable optical properties. In photocatalysis studies, GHPhen has demonstrated modest activity for the degradation of organic dyes under visible‑light irradiation.

The compound is generally considered to have low acute toxicity, but it should be handled with standard laboratory precautions, including gloves and eye protection, because of its potential irritant properties. No comprehensive long‑term safety data is available, and routine use in research laboratories requires adherence to institutional safety guidelines.