A novel fluorescent molecule based on 1,8-naphthalimide: synthesis, spectral properties, and application in cell imaging

A novel naphthalimide molecule, 4-(2-methoxyethoxy)-N-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide (MEBN), has been synthesized and characterized. The UV-visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectral properties in n-hexane, toluene, CHCl3, and CH3OH were studied. Its optical properties depend on solvent polarity. The application of MEBN in cell imaging was investigated.