Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I): including stereoisomers, salts and tautomers thereof, wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R2e, R2f, R2g, R2h, R2i, R2j, R2k, R2l, R2m, R2n, R2o, R2p, R2q, R2r and R2s are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.