The solution fluorescence of N-alkyl-2,3-naphthalimides (1-4) in polar protic and aprotic solvents was compared to the emission from solid samples resulting from the imide complexation with <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>-cyclodextrin or adsorption on the surface of microcrystalline cellulose. Solid samples of the inclusion complex 2,3-naphthalimides/<FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>-cyclodextrin show maximum for fluorescence emission significantly different to the observed in methanolic solution. Beside this, a clear effect on the alkyl chain length could be observed for these samples which is probably due to differences in probe location inside the cyclodextrin cavity. The constancy for fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime for the imides 1 - 4 adsorbed on microcrystalline cellulose suggests that, independently of the polarity of the solvent used for sample preparation, the probe is preferentially located on the cellulose surface. An increase of fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime for solid samples, when compared to the values obtained in solution for the different solvents employed in this study (acetonitrile, methanol and water), is fully in accordance with a decrease of the probe mobility due to inclusion in <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>-cyclodextrin or to adsorption on cellulose.
<FONT FACE=Symbol>b</font> -cyclodextrin; naphthalimides; microcrystalline cellulose; diffuse reflectance; pulsed laser induced emission
