Synthesis and characterization of novel reactive 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent molecules

ABS T R A C T A novel reactive 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent molecule DADENA with disulfide bond and amino was synthesized, and its UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra properties were studied. As an application example, DADENA was used to prepare polyurethane nanoemulsions, and reduction responsiveness of the di-sulfide bond of PU-DADENA nanoparticles (NPs) with dithiothreitol (DTT) was investigated. Results revealed that the introduction of disulfide bonds have no effect on spectral properties, and the spectral properties of naphthalimide fluorophore is strongly related to the solvents. The PU-DADENA has good transparency, unifor-mity and high stability, and the reduction conversion of disulfide bonds to thiol groups reach nearly 100%. We believe that DADENA and PU-DADENA NPs have a potential for fluorescent cell marking, cancer detection and drug delivery.

Automated summary

A novel fluorescent molecule DADENA with disulfide bond and amino was synthesized and its spectral properties were studied. The PU-DADENA nanoparticles showed good transparency, uniformity, and high stability, with almost 100% reduction conversion of disulfide bonds. DADENA and PU-DADENA nanoparticles have potential applications in fluorescent cell marking, cancer detection, and drug delivery.