Abstract Synthesis, absorption and fluorescence properties of a series of asymmetrical monomethine cyanine dyes, chloro-containing analogs of Thiazole orange, are reported. Their staining ability was studied by flow cytometry. The saturating concentrations of each dye that gives a stable staining intensity have been determined. The ability of dyes B9, B11, B13 to stain live macrophages and apoptotic splenocytes was investigated. Positive signal ...