FerriNaphth: a fluorescent chemodosimeter for redox active metal ions.

FerriNaphth, a fluorescent chemodosimeter for Fe(III), has been prepared and characterized. The probe consists of a catechol ligand linked to a naphthalimide fluorophore by an aniline nitrogen linker. Upon exposure to Fe(III), the aminocatechol of FerriNaphth is oxidized to the corresponding quinone, which in its imine-one tautomer, is hydrolyzed to liberate a fluorescent aminonaphthalimide derivative. The fluorescence behavior is consistent with oxidation being promoted by metal coordination.