Studying pH dependence of the photophysical properties of a blue emitting fluorescent PAMAM dendrimer and evaluation of its sensor potential

• The synthesis of a new blue fluorescent dendrimer has been described.
• In DMF dendrimer changes its color to yellow in the presence of sodium hydroxide.
• The dendrimer has potential for application as detector for metal ions and protons.

The first synthesis of a blue fluorescent PAMAM dendrimer, comprising eight 4-N,N-dimethylaminoethyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide units in the dendrimer periphery has been described. Its functional properties have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The sensor ability of the dendrimer to detect metal (Ag2+, Co2+, Pb2+ Zn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Fe3+) ions has been discussed. The fluorescence intensity of the dendrimer has been investigated as a pH function of the environment. The influence of hydroxyl anions on the dendrimer spectral properties in non-aqueous medium has also been investigated.

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