We have prepared a series of tetrahydrochrysenes as fluorescent ligands for the estrogen receptor. The stilbene chromophore in this tetracyclic system is held rigid and is adorned with an electron-donating hydroxyl group at C-8 that corresponds to the phenolic hydroxyl of eatrogens and an electron acceptor at C-2 to give a donor-awptor fluorophore. Additional substituents at C-5 and C-11 provide additional bulk that improves receptor binding affinity ...