Synthesis of a naphthalimide-functionalized polymethacrylate: a turn-on fluorescent probe for sulfinic acids <i>via</i> covalent bond formation

A fluorescent naphthalimide azocarboxylate was successfully tethered to a polymethacrylate backbone. The resulting polymeric material exhibits efficient turn-on fluorescence upon sulfinate addition onto the azo moiety forming covalent bonding, with minimal quenching effects from non-emissive isomeric units, demonstrating its potential for developing fluorescent labelling for sulfinated-proteins.