Dual fluorescent N-aryl-2,3- naphthalimides: applications in ratiometric DNA detection and white organic light-emitting devices.

A ten element matrix of 5- and 6-substituted-(2,3)-naphthalimides was prepared for the appropriate placement of substituents necessary to promote dual fluorescence (DF). As prescribed by our balanced seesaw photophysical model this matrix yielded nine new DF dyes out of a possible ten compounds. From this set of nine DF dyes, 4-fluoronaphthalic amide (37) was selected as a probe for ratiometric detection of DNA and demonstration of panchromatic emission.