Chemiluminescent probes for diagnostics and in vivo imaging

1. A compound of the formula I:

wherein

R 1 is selected from the group consisting of a linear or branched (C 1 -C 18 )alkyl, and (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl;

R 2 and R 3 each independently is selected from the group consisting of a branched (C 3 -C 18 )alkyl and (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl, or R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a fused, spiro or bridged cyclic or polycyclic ring;

R 5 and R 6 each independently is selected from the group consisting of H, (C 1 -C 18 )alkyl, (C 2 -C 18 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 18 )alkynyl, (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl, and aryl, or R 5 and R 6 together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring;

R 7 , R 8 and R 9 each independently is H, or an electron acceptor group selected from the group consisting of halogen, —NO 2 , —CN, —COOR 10 , —C(═O)R 10 and —SO 2 R 10 ;

R 10 each independently is H or —(C 1 -C 18 )alkyl; and

Q is a protecting group.

2. The compound of claim 1 , wherein:

(i) R 1 is a linear or branched (C 1 -C 8 )alkyl; or

(ii) R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a fused, spiro or bridged polycyclic ring; or

(iii) R 5 and R 6 each independently is (C 1 -C 8 )alkyl, and together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring; or

(iv) at least one of R 7 , R 8 and R 9 is H, and the other of R 7 , R 8 and R 9 each independently is an electron acceptor group selected from the group consisting of halogen, —NO 2 and —CN; or

(v) said protecting group is selected from the group consisting of —CH 3 , —CH 2 OCH 3 , —C(═O)C(CH 3 ) 3 , —CH 2 —CH═CH 2 , TBDMS, TBDPS, benzyl, and 2-nitro-4,5-dimethoxybenzyl.

3. The compound of claim 2 , wherein R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form adamantyl.

4. The compound of claim 2 , wherein R 5 and R 6 each is isopropyl and together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolanyl.

5. The compound of claim 1 , wherein:

R 1 is a linear or branched (C 1 -C 8 )alkyl;

R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a fused, spiro or bridged polycyclic ring;

R 5 and R 6 each independently is (C 1 -C 8 )alkyl, and together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring; and

at least one of R 7 , R 8 and R 9 is H, and the other of R 7 , R 8 and R 9 each independently is an electron acceptor group selected from the group consisting of halogen, —NO 2 and —CN.

6. The compound of claim 5 , wherein R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form adamantyl; or R 5 and R 6 each is isopropyl and together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolanyl.

7. The compound of claim 6 , wherein R 1 is methyl; R 2 and R 3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form adamantly; R 5 and R 6 each is isopropyl and together with the oxygen atoms to which they are attached form 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolanyl; R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are H; and Q is TBDMS.

8. A composition comprising a carrier, and a compound according to claim 1 .