Synthesis, fluorescence-sensing and molecular logic of two water-soluble 1,8-naphthalimides.

Two novel highly water-soluble fluorescence sensing 1,8-naphthalimides are synthesized and investigated. The novel compounds are designed on the "fluorophore-receptor-spacer-receptor" model as a molecular fluorescence probe for determination of cations and anions in 100% aqueous media. The novel probes comprising N-imide and N-phenylpiperazine or morpholine substituents are capable to operate simultaneously via ICT and PET signaling mechanism as a function of pH and to recognize selectively Cu and Hg over the other representative metal ions. Due to the remarkable fluorescence changes in the presence of protons, hydroxyl anions, Hg and Cu, INH and doubly disabled INH logic gates are executed and the systems are able to act as a single output combinatorial logic circuit with four chemical inputs.