Pyrene is one of the simplest polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pyrene derivatives are known for their ability to intercalate dsDNA.
Pyrene possesses intrinsic fluorescence. When two pyrene residues are located in close proximity, excimer formation can be observed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Pyrene has been therefore used to probe structures of biomolecules.
Ethynylpyrene molecule contains terminal triple bond fragment for click chemistry, as well as other coupling reactions such as Sonogashira coupling.