1-Hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde: A prospective excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) probe with multi-faceted applications

The present account aims at amassing and recounting on our series of spectroscopic studies with a potential excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) probe 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde (HN12). After a detailed investigation from experimental as well as theoretical viewpoints, a deeper insight into the photophysics of the selected molecular system is provided from thorough spectral deciphering of the effects of solvent, medium pH and temperature. In the following sections, the ESIPT emission of HN12 has been documented to be a potential avenue wherefrom characterization of a wide variety of biological, biomimetic and supramolecular assemblies has been executed to commendable fruition. Efforts are also invested to delineate the location, distribution and strength of interaction of the probe with various microheterogeneous environments.