Effects of homogeneous media, binary mixtures and microheterogeneous media on the fluorescence and fluorescence probe properties of some benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridiens with HSA and BSA.

A rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of various poly-substituted benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridines in high yield has been developed via the Friedländer condensation of 2-aminoquinoline-3-carbaldehyde 1 with various alicyclic ketones in a base catalyst (aq. potassium hydroxide). A series of benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridines branched with various side-chains and substituents were prepared with the aim of being investigated as a fluorescent agents. Electronic absorption and fluorescence properties of some representative benzonaphthyridines (3d, 5b and 21f) in homogeneous organic solvents, dioxane-water binary mixtures and in the microheterogeneous media (sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and Triton-X100 micelles) have been examined. A linear correlation between solvent polarity and fluorescence properties was observed. Further, the interaction of these benzonaphthyridines (3d, 5b and 21f) with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in phosphate buffer have been examined by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence intensity of 3d, 5b and 21f increases with the increasing HSA and BSA concentration. These benzonaphthyridines also quench the 345 nm fluorescence of BSA in phosphate buffer (λ(ex) 280 nm). These compounds have potential for use as neutral and hydrophobic fluorescence probes for examining the microenvironments in proteins, polymers, micelles, etc.