Orange climbers make fluorescent blue molecules

Two coumarin compounds with nearly identical structures but contrary fluorescent properties have been isolated from the orange climber plant. One may find use in biomedical imaging due to its unconventional behaviour when aggregated in solutions.

Many traditional fluorescent molecules do not emit light in when in solid forms. But aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens show the opposite phenomenon, glowing brightly even in an aggregate state. While many synthetic versions of these have been developed and found use in theranostics and luminescent sensors, they tend to be toxic to the environment, have poor biocompatibility, and are difficult to make.