Synthesis and photophysical properties of photostable 1,8-naphthalimide dyes incorporating benzotriazole-based UV absorbers.

We developed a series of blue-emitting 1,8-naphthalimide dyes covalently attached to 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-benzotriazoles that retard photodegradation of the fluorophore. The dyes displayed weaker fluorescence emissions than the parent 1.8-naphthalimide.