Embodiments of compounds for selectively detecting an analyte are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the compounds. The compounds are bridged viologen conjugates including at least one fluorophore according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together form a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl.