A Novel Naked-Eye and Dual-Channel Responsive Fluorescent Probe for Cu²⁺ Based on 3,4-Disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide

A new 3,4-disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide derivative H1 was designed and synthesized as a selective fluorescent probe for Cu²⁺ over miscellaneous metal ions in aqueous media. Upon mixing with Cu²⁺ in CH₃OH:H₂O (1:1, volume ratio), the increase of fluorescence intensity and a bathochromic shift of absorbance of H1 could be observed with a notable color response (changing from yellow to pink). Furthermore, Cu²⁺ coordinates to the probe H1 and a 1:1 metal-ligand complex was formed.