Fluorescent supramolecular hierarchical self-assemblies from glycosylated 4-amino- and 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalimides

An investigation into the self-assembly of two 4-amino- and a 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalimide (Nap) based structures (1–3) possessing an appended glycan unit, from protic polar media, is presented. The results demonstrate the formation of complex hierarchical luminescent aggregates, wherein the morphologies, sizes and spherical structures were highly dependent on both the media and the Nap structure. Upon cleaving the native glycosidic bond, using an enzyme, the structure/morphology of the self-assembly of 3 in buffered solution was significantly transformed.