Fluorogenic or fluorophoric compounds and uses thereof

1. A compound of Formula (I)

wherein

R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 , —(CO)—NR 4 R 5 , heterocyclic group, aryl, aralkyl, or cyano;

R 2 is an enzyme-labile group;

R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl;

R 4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; and

either (a) X 1 is hydrogen and X 2 is fluoro or (b) X 1 is fluoro and X 2 is hydrogen, and wherein R 2 is a sugar group, sugar acid group, amino sugar group, carboxyl-terminated amino acid group, carboxyl-terminated peptide group, ester group, ester-containing group, phosphate group, or sulfate group; and wherein either

R 2 is a sugar group that is a monosaccaride group or a disaccharide group, or

R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 where R 3 is alkyl, or

R 2 is a sugar group that is a monosaccaride group or a disaccharide group and R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 where R 3 is alkyl.

2. The compound of claim 1 , wherein R 2 is a sugar group that is a monosaccharide group or disaccharide group.

3. The compound of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 where R 3 is an alkyl.

4. The compound of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is a heterocyclic group having a five-member heterocyclic ring.

5. The compound of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is a heterocyclic group having a five-member heterocyclic ring fused to a benzene ring.

6. A composition comprising a mixture of a compound of Formula (I-1) and a compound of Formula (I-2);

wherein

R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 , —(CO)—NR 4 R 5 , heterocyclic group, aryl, aralkyl, or cyano;

R 2 is hydroxyl or an enzyme-labile group;

R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl; and

R 4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl.

7. An article comprising:

a) a first layer that is a support layer;

b) a second layer adjacent to the support layer, wherein the second layer comprises a compound of Formula (I) according to claim 1 .

8. The article of claim 7 , wherein the second layer comprises a mixture of a compound of Formula (I-1) and a compound of Formula (I-2)

wherein

R 1 is —(CO)—OR 3 , —(CO)—NR 4 R 5 , heterocyclic group, aryl, aralkyl, or cyano;

R 2 is hydroxyl or an enzyme-labile group;

R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl; and

R 4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl.

9. The article of claim 7 , wherein the second layer further comprises a gelling agent, growth medium, or a combination thereof.

10. The article of claim 7 , wherein the second layer is dehydrated.

11. The article claim 7 , wherein the second layer further comprises polymeric particles.

12. The article of claim 11 , wherein the polymeric particles comprise an acrylate polymer or copolymer, styrene polymer or copolymer, cellulosic polymer or copolymer, dextran polymer or copolymer, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

13. The article of claim 11 , wherein the polymeric particles have an average particle diameter in a range of 0.01 micrometers to 1 micrometer.

14. A method of detecting a microorganism, the method comprising:

providing a compound of Formula (I) according to claim 1 ; and

incubating a test sample with the compound of Formula (I), wherein the test sample contains an enzyme that cleaves the R 2 group of compound of Formula (I), resulting in the formation of a fluorophoric compound of Formula (Ib); and

exciting the fluorophoric compound of Formula (Ib) with a first wavelength of light and detecting light emitted at a second wavelength of light that is longer than first wavelength of light.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of incubating the test sample with the fluorogenic compound comprises adding the test sample in a liquid form to a dehydrated layer containing the fluorogenic compound of Formula (Ia) and a growth medium.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises sequestering the compound of Formula (Ib) on polymeric particles.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the polymeric particles have an average particle diameter in a range of 0.01 micrometers to 1 micrometer.