Abstract Novel fluorescent quinoxaline and quinoline hydroperoxides were shown to perform dual role as both fluorophores for cell imaging and photoinduced DNA cleaving agents. Photophysical studies of newly synthesized quinoxaline and quinoline hydroperoxides showed that they all exhibited moderate to good fluorescence. Photolysis of quinoxaline and quinoline hydroperoxides in acetonitrile using UV light above 350 nm ...