Porphyrin as a versatile visible-light-activatable organic/metal hybrid photoremovable protecting group.

Photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) represent one of the main contemporary implementations of photochemistry in diverse fields of research and practical applications. For the past half century, organic and metal-complex PPGs were considered mutually exclusive classes, each of which provided unique sets of physical and chemical properties thanks to their distinctive structures. Here, we introduce the meso-methylporphyrin group as a prototype hybrid-class PPG that unites traditionally exclusive elements of organic and metal-complex PPGs within a single structure.

A cell-permeant small molecule for the super-resolution imaging of the endoplasmic reticulum in live cells.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) constitutes about half of the total membrane of a eukaryotic cell, and defects in the ER have been shown to be linked with a variety of diseases. To investigate these underlying mechanisms in detail, the specific labelling of the ER for high-resolution long-term live-imaging can serve as an important tool. Here, we report the identification of a stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy-compatible BODIPY derivative (NH2-BODIPY) to selectively image the ER.

Zwitterionic BODIPYs with large stokes shift: small molecular biomarkers for live cells.

The two first examples of zwitterionic BODIPYs have been synthesized via a simple S-Ar methodology. The molecules exhibit excellent optical behavior, such as a large Stokes shift in solution and therefore a very intense emission, and can thus avoid self-quenching. The zwitterionic nature of the molecules was unambiguously elucidated using single crystal XRD studies.

Dual-mode chemodosimetric response of dibromo-BODIPY with anions.

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution (Ar-SN) reaction of 3,5-dibromopentafluorophenyl-BODIPY has been explored as a remarkable basis for selective discrimination of anions. The efficient and characteristic ability of anions to modulate the absorption and emission properties of the dye provides an instantaneous distinction through dual-modes. For the first time, a novel platform to achieve dual-modal and promising recognition with discrimination of a series of anions differing in the nucleophilic atoms (F, O, C and N) has been taken into consideration.

Corrole-BODIPY Dyads: Synthesis, Structure, and Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties.

A free-base and its Cu(III) derivative of bichromophoric meso-β linked corrole-BODIPY dyad were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). Both corrole and BODIPY fragments maintained respective ground state electronic isolation despite their connection through a single bond due to a tilted orientation as observed by XRD. This was further supported by UV-vis and cyclic voltammetric studies.

A selective fluoride sensor and a digital processor with "Write-Read-Erase-Read" behaviour.

An easy-to-synthesize Schiff base as a selective and colorimetric fluoride sensor via modulation of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) has been demonstrated. A typical dual-ion binding property along with its distinct reversibility has been explored for YES, NOR and INH logic functions and a potential "Write-Read-Erase-Read" mimic.

Aliphatic amine discrimination by pentafluorophenyl dibromo BODIPY.

Two new fluorescent BODIPY dyes have been designed and synthesized. They dyes differ in their meso substituents, which have different electronic properties. Their selective reactivity towards an Ar-S(N)2 reaction has been explored as a potential basis for colorimetric and fluorescent discrimination of primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines.