Bis(Naphthalimide-Piperazine)-Based Off-On Fluorescent Probe for Acids

A bis(naphthalimide-piperazine) derivative (1) was synthesized as a pH-sensitive Off-On fluorescent probe. Operation mechanism of 1 is based on photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and its pH-dependent optical changes were investigated by using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the pH range of 11–4.5, this probe undergoes PET process from the piperazine to the naphthalimide moiety, leading to a fluorescence quenching. However, in the pH range of 4.5–1, the PET is inhibited to give a fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, the fluorescence ‘turn-on’ response of 1 is highly selective for protons (H⁺) over other metal cations, biomolecules and it shows a good reversibility between acidic and basic conditions.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract ?