Accessing near-infrared-absorbing BF2-azadipyrromethenes via a push-pull effect.

Novel aza-BODIPYs with significant bathochromic shifts were designed and synthesized by installation of strong electron-withdrawing groups on the para-positions of 1,7-phenyls and electron-donating groups on the para-positions of 3,4-phenyls. These dyes show strong NIR fluorescence emissions up to 756 nm, and absorptions up to 720 nm.

Synthesis and functionalization of asymmetrical benzo-fused BODIPY dyes.

A series of asymmetrical benzo-fused BODIPY dyes were synthesized from the Sonogashira coupling and nucleophilic substitution reactions on the 3-halogenated benzo-fused BODIPY, generated from readily available 3-halogeno-1-formylisoindoles in a two-step synthetic procedure. This novel BODIPY platform provides an easy path for the linking of BODIPY fluorophore to various desired functionalities as demonstrated in this work. Most of the resulting BODIPY dyes show long-wavelength absorption and fluorescence emission, with good fluorescence quantum yields and long fluorescence lifetimes.