Design of a water soluble 1,8-naphthalimide/3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone conjugate: Investigation of its spectroscopic properties at variable pH and in the presence of Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+

The synthesis and sensing properties of a new fluorescent probe designed to have a 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide fluorescent platform functionalized with a 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone bidentate chelating unit at the 4-position and a terminal aliphatic dimethylamino group at the imide site, are reported. The absorption and fluorescence properties of the ligand were investigated in DMSO and in aqueous solution at variable pH and in the presence of increasing concentration of Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+.Analysis of the UV–Vis spectra at variable pH allowed the determination of three pKa values (pKa1 = 3.19, pKa2 = 8.38, pKa3 = 9.95) and establishment of the corresponding speciation diagram. Fluorescence spectra obtained in the same conditions show that the fluorescence intensity of the probe decreases with increasing pH and are off above pH 9 as a result of photo-induced electron transfer arising from the aliphatic dimethylamino group. Under physiological pH conditions, the probe shows an absorption band centred at 439 nm and emits in the green at λ = 536 nm.Analysis of UV–Vis and EPR spectra of the ligand in the presence of Fe3+ and Cu2+ is consistent with the formation of the corresponding metal ion complexes. The fluorescence intensity of the ligand is quenched in the presence of variable concentrations of Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ and under physiological pH conditions the fluorescence of the probe is ca 92%, 88% and 91% quenched in the presence of Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ respectively.

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► The conjugation of a naphthalimide with a pyridinone gave a new fluorescent probe.
► The conjugation reaction was successfully achieved by using microwave irradiation.
► Photophysical properties (absorption, fluorescence, quantum yield) were determined.
► Fe(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) lead to a considerable fluorescence quenching effect.