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In Situ Real-Time Imaging of Benzyl-Naphthalimide Dyes Revealing Diverse Structural Evolution Dynamics at the
Yinchan Zhang1,2, Qinglong Qiao1, Ning Xu1
1Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116023, China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|April 23, 2025
Summary
This study uses confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to visualize the in situ self-assembly of benzyl-naphthalimide dyes. The technique reveals distinct growth mechanisms and molecular packing within individual assemblies, crucial for designing functional materials.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Materials science
- Chemical imaging
Background:
- Fluorescence imaging is vital for monitoring self-assembly dynamics.
- Visualizing complex supramolecular systems in real-time, especially at the single-assembly level, remains challenging.
- Understanding growth kinetics and hierarchical network formation is key to harnessing functional potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize the in situ dynamic growth and network formation of benzyl-naphthalimide dye assemblies.
- To investigate the influence of molecular structure on assembly morphology and kinetics.
- To reveal intra-assembly heterogeneity in molecular packing.
Main Methods:
- In situ confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with time-lapse imaging.
- Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM).
- Theoretical calculations to assess substituent effects on molecular planarity.
Main Results:
- Distinct dynamic growth mechanisms were observed for three different benzyl-naphthalimide assemblies.
- Amino substituents were found to modulate naphthalene ring planarity, influencing assembly morphology.
- Pronounced intra-assembly heterogeneity in molecular packing was detected using FLIM.
- Single-assembly growth dynamics were captured, providing insights beyond conventional methods.
Conclusions:
- Benzyl-naphthalimide molecules self-assemble into diverse architectures.
- The in situ CLSM technique offers unique insights into single-assembly dynamics.
- These findings support the potential of naphthalimide derivatives for designing advanced functional materials with tunable properties.
