A spin-labeling fluorophore(NA-TEMPO ·), formed by labeling α-naphthalene with a paramagnetic nitroxide(4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy), was explored for biologically relevant carbon-centered radicals. The horseradish peroxidase (HPR)/H 2O 2 reaction was used to generate radicals in derivatives of tyrosine and phenylalanine, and the Fenton reaction was used to generate radicals in deoxyguanosine, guanosine, bovine serum albumin(BSA) and DNA. TEMPO ·-NA, a weak fluorescent compound, showed a dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity after scavenging carbon-centered radicals. The spin-labeling fluorophore with dual function groups, the radical recognizing group and fluorescent group, would be significantly useful in monitoring the formation and translocation of carbon-centered radicals in complex biological systems.
