We describe the existing approaches to the synthesis of 5-arylidene-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ones - model chromophores of fluorescent proteins and their nonnatural analogs. We discuss in detail the chemical (acid-base and redox reactions, cis-trans isomery, etc.) and spectral properties of the chromophores and the influence of substitutes and the environment. The study of synthetic chromophores allows for modeling of the photophysical characteristics of fluorescent proteins.