A ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of biogenic primary amines with nanomolar sensitivity

An ultrasensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor made of an N, N-dimethylaminonaphthalene anhydride moiety for detection of aliphatic primary amines is reported. Biogenic amines at nanomolar concentration is detected with the additional ability to discriminate between primary, secondary and tertiary amines by using both UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy.