6-Dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine

6-Dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine is a fluorescent membrane probe used in phospholipid multilamellar aggregates which distinguishes between phase transitions, phase fluctuations and the coexistence of phase domains. Studies indicate that the bulky and highly hydrated polar head groups of glycosphingolipids interact well with 6-Dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine. The fluorescence is derived from the naphthalene moiety, in which a small dipole moment exists due to a partial charge separation between the 2-dimethylamino and the 6-carbonyl residues. This fluorescent tag is ideal to study dipolar relaxation because this compound emits different light depending on the environment it is in. For instance, 6-Dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine emits red light in a polar solvent and blue light in an apolar solvent.