Combination of sensor potential and antimicrobial activity of a new 4-(2-dimethylaminoethyloxy)-N-buthyl-1,8-naphthalimide

A blue emitting 4-(2-dimethylaminoethyloxy)-N-buthyl-1,8-naphthalimide bearing a dimethylaminoethyloxy group as a receptor fragment for metal ions and protons has been designed and synthesized. The basic photophysical properties of the compound have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The detection of different metal cations (Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Zn2+and Mn2+) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. Depending on pH, the new compound shows “off–on” switching from alkaline to acid media. A new complex of Cu(II) with the 4-(2-dimethylaminoethyloxy)-N-buthyl-1,8-naphthalimide has been synthesized and characterized. The antibiotic activity of the complex was evaluated against some bacterial and yeast cultures.