5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]phenanthroline may be used to synthesize N-(3-azidopropyl)-1,10-phenanthrolin-5-amine (az-phen), via reaction with 3-azidopropylamine which is then subjected to dehydration by treatment with sodium hydride. It can also be used to synthesize (1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranoside by reacting with 1-thio-β-D-glucopyranose sodium salt in dry ethanol.