Design and synthesis of a new fluorescent tripod for chemosensor applications

Abstract

A new yellow-green fluorescent tripod based 1,8-naphthalimide has been synthesized and characterised. Its photophysical properties have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The effect that the metal ions (Cd2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Ba2+, Fe3+ and Ag+) produce upon the fluorescent intensity of acetonitrile solutions of the tripod has been discussed viewing its potential applications as a detector for metal cations. The influence of protons on the fluorescence intensity of the tripod in DMF and methanol-water (1:4 v/v) solutions has also been investigated.