7-Amino-4-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone was synthesized by the reaction of m-phenylenediamine with ethyl acetoacetate (3)

which was further reacted with nitrilotriacetic acid and produced a new amide compound 5. The chemical structure of compound 5 was characterized by IR

1HNMR

and MS analyses. Coordination of compound 5 with La(NO

3

)

3

produced a new La complex 6 with a molecular formula of ［La(C

16

H

15

N

3

O

6

)NO

3

］·4H

2

O

which was analyzed by IR

MS

TG-DTA

elemental analysis

and molar conductivity. The result of fluorescence analysis showed that the Lacomplex had a stronger fluorescence and narrower frequency-domain. The interaction of compound 5 with herring DNA solution was also studied by fluorescent spectroscopy at different concentrations. An obvious change of the fluorescent spectroscopy was observed

showing that there is a strong interaction between the DNA and compound 5. Addition of herring DNA could effectively enhance the luminescence intensity

and an intensity increased to 40% was observed at a DNA concentration of 4.02×10

-6

mol/L. Therefore

compound 5 has potential applications in DNA analysis and/or prevention and treatment of diseases.