Disclosed herein are a series of compounds based on Formula (I). These compounds comprise perylene core which has been extended with optionally functionalised imidazoles at the 3,4;9,10 positions. The compounds of Formula (I) can be functionalised at two positions on the perylene core, such as the 1,6 or 1,7 positions. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising said compounds, methods of forming said compounds and potential applications of said compounds, such as applying the compounds as a dye whose absorbance and fluorescence spectrum are red-shifted.