Abstract Reaction of 2-(mercaptomethyl) benzazoles 2a–c or isothiouronium salt 4 with acetyleneketone 5 or β-halogeno-α, β-unsaturated aldehyde 7 gives highly fluorescent heterocycles 6a–c or 8a–d. The fluorescence properties of these compounds and their aromatised derivatives 9a, b were investigated.
