Nanoparticles via H-aggregation of amphiphilic BODIPY dyes

Radical enhanced intersystem crossing mechanism, electron spin dynamics of high spin states and their applications in the design of heavy atom-free triplet photosensitizers

Heavy atom-free triplet photosensitizers (PSs) can overcome the high cost and biological toxicity of traditional molecular systems containing heavy atoms (such as Pt(II), Ir(III), Ru(II), Pd(II), Lu(III), I, or Br atoms) and, therefore, are developing rapidly. Connecting a stable free radical to the chromophore can promote the intersystem crossing (ISC) process through electron spin exchange interaction to produce the triplet state of the chromophore or the doublet (D) and quartet (Q) states when taking the whole spin system into account. These molecular systems based on the radical enhanced ISC (REISC) mechanism are important in the field of heavy atom-free triplet PSs. The REISC system has a simple molecular structure and good biocompatibility, and it is especially helpful for building high-spin quantum states (D and Q states) that have the potential to be developed as qubits in quantum information science. This review introduces the molecular structure design for the purpose of high-spin states. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) is the most important characterization method to reveal the properties of these molecular systems, generation mechanism and electron spin polarization (ESP) of the high spin states. The spin polarization manipulation of high spin states and potential application in the field of quantum information engineering are also summarized. Moreover, molecular design principles of the REISC system to obtain long absorption wavelength, high triplet state quantum yield and long triplet state lifetime are introduced, as well as applications of the compounds in triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion, photodynamic therapy and bioimaging. This review is useful for the design of heavy atom-free triplet PSs based on the radical-chromophore molecular structure motif and the study of the photophysics of the compounds, as well as the electron spin dynamics of the multi electron system upon photoexcitation.

BODIPY-Labeled Estrogens for Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Microbial Degradation

Biodegradation of estrogen hormone micropollutants is a well-established approach toward their remediation. Fluorescently labeled substrates are used extensively for rapid, near-real-time analysis of biological processes and are a potential tool for studying biodegradation processes faster and more efficiently than conventional approaches. However, it is important to understand how the fluorescently tagged surrogates compare with the natural substrate in terms of chemical analysis and the intended application. We derivatized three natural estrogens with BODIPY fluorophores by azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction and developed an analytical workflow based on simple liquid-liquid extraction and HPLC-PDA analysis. The developed methods allow for concurrent analysis of both fluorescent and natural estrogens with comparable recovery, accuracy, and precision. We then evaluated the use of BODIPY-labeled estrogens as surrogate substrates for studying biodegradation using a model bacterium for estrogen metabolism. The developed analytical methods were successfully employed to compare the biological transformation of 17β-estradiol (E2), with and without the BODIPY fluorescent tag. Through measuring the complete degradation of E2 and the transformation of BODIPY-estradiol to BODIPY-estrone in the presence of a co-substrate, we found that BODIPY-labeled estrogens are biologically viable surrogates for investigating biodegradation in environmental bacteria.

Sensing lysozyme fibrils by salicylaldimine substituted BODIPY dyes - A correlation with molecular structure

Quick and efficient detection of protein fibrils has enormous impact on the diagnosis and treatment of amyloid related neurological diseases. Among several methods, fluorescence based techniques have garnered most importance in the detection of amyloid fibrils due to its high sensitivity and extreme simplicity. Among other classes of molecular probes, BODIPY derivatives have been employed extensively for the detection of amyloid fibrils. However, there are very few studies on the relationship between the molecular structure of BODIPY dyes and their amyloid sensing activity. Here in a BODIPY based salicylaldimine Schiff base and its corresponding boron complex have been evaluated for their ability to sense amyloid fibrils from hen-egg white lysozyme using steady state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. Both dyes show fluorescence enhancement as well as increase in their excited state lifetime upon their binding with lysozyme fibrils. However, the BODIPY derivative which shows more emission enhancement in fibrillar solution has much lower affinity towards amyloid fibrils as compared to other derivative. This contrasting behaviour in the emission enhancement and binding affinity has been explained on the basis of differences in their photophysical properties in water and amyloid fibril originating from the difference in their molecular structure. Such correlation between the amyloid sensitivity and the molecular structure of the probe can open up a new strategy for designing new efficient amyloid probes.

Heavy-Atom Free spiro Organoboron Complexes As Triplet Excited States Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen Activation

Herein, we present a new strategy for the development of efficient heavy-atom free singlet oxygen photosensitizers based on rigid borafluorene scaffolds. Physicochemical properties of borafluorene complexes can be easily tuned through the choice of ligand, thus allowing exploration of numerous organoboron structures as potent ¹O₂ sensitizers. The singlet oxygen generation quantum yields of studied complexes vary in the range of 0.55-0.78. Theoretical calculations reveal that the introduction of the borafluorene moiety is crucial for the stabilization of a singlet charge transfer state, while intersystem crossing to a local triplet state is facilitated by orthogonal donor-acceptor molecular architecture. Our study shows that quantitative oxidation of selected organic substrates can be achieved in 20-120 min of irradiation with only 0.05 mol % loading of a photocatalyst.

BODIPY dimers: structure, interaction, and absorption spectrum

The object of the present study are BODIPY molecules obtained previously by Piskorz et al. (Dyes Pigm. 178:108322, 2020) for their antimicrobial activity. Structural analysis of the BODIPY dimers is presented in context of the aggregation influence on the photophysical properties. The thorough investigation of the nature of intermolecular interaction in the representative BODIPY dimers is provided together with the decomposition of the interaction energy into the components of well-defined origin according to SAPT procedure. For the model BODIPY systems the careful examination of the interaction nature for the dimer structure based on experimental crystal study as well as fully optimized is given. The tendencies observed in the model dimers are further on investigated for two pairs of BODIPY systems designed for biomedical application. The analyzed molecules are shown to maximize the mutual interaction by the optimization of the stacking dispersion contacts between the aromatic rings of the molecules, therefore producing stable dimers. The estimation of SAPT0 interaction energy components confirms the dominating dispersion character arising from mutual BODIPY core contacts. The influence of the dimerization process on the photophysical properties of the systems studied theoretically depends to the high extend on the dimerization mode and is significant for parallel and antiparallel dispersion-governed dimers.

J-aggregation induced emission enhancement of BODIPY dyes via H-bonding directed supramolecular polymerization: the importance of substituents at boron

For uracil-functionalized BODIPY dyes 1a–c, AIEE upon H-bonding directed J-aggregation was observed for the two dyes bearing alkyne groups at boron while the BF₂-chelated dye displayed ACQ, indicating the crucial role of the substituents at boron.

Monitoring the formation of insulin oligomers using a NIR emitting glucose-conjugated BODIPY dye

Protein oligomers, which are formed due to the aggregation of protein molecules under physiological stress, are neurotoxic and responsible for several neurological diseases. Early detection of protein oligomers is essential for the timely intervention in the associated diseases. Although several probes have been developed for the detection of insoluble matured protein fibrils, fluorescent probes with emission in the near infrared (NIR) region for probing protein oligomers are very rare. In the present study we have designed and synthesized a glucose-conjugated BODIPY dye with emission in the NIR spectral range. Our detailed studies show that the new probe is not only capable of detecting matured fibrils but can also probe the formation of oligomers from the native protein. The new probe shows a large increase in its emission intensity upon association with oligomers and matured fibrils. Hence, the present probe has a great potential for the in vivo imaging of protein oligomers and matured fibrils. Detailed spectroscopic properties of the new probes in molecular solvents have been performed to understand its oligomers- and fibril- sensing mechanism.

Modulating the Optical Properties of BODIPY Dyes by Noncovalent Dimerization within a Flexible Coordination Cage

Aggregation of organic molecules can drastically affect their physicochemical properties. For instance, the optical properties of BODIPY dyes are inherently related to the degree of aggregation and the mutual orientation of BODIPY units within these aggregates. Whereas the noncovalent aggregation of various BODIPY dyes has been studied in diverse media, the ill-defined nature of these aggregates has made it difficult to elucidate the structure-property relationships. Here, we studied the encapsulation of three structurally simple BODIPY derivatives within the hydrophobic cavity of a water-soluble, flexible PdII6L4 coordination cage. The cavity size allowed for the selective encapsulation of two dye molecules, irrespective of the substitution pattern on the BODIPY core. Working with a model, a pentamethyl-substituted derivative, we found that the mutual orientation of two BODIPY units in the cage's cavity was remarkably similar to that in the crystalline state of the free dye, allowing us to isolate and characterize the smallest possible noncovalent H-type BODIPY aggregate, namely, an H-dimer. Interestingly, a CF3-substituted BODIPY, known for forming J-type aggregates, was also encapsulated as an H-dimer. Taking advantage of the dynamic nature of encapsulation, we developed a system in which reversible switching between H- and J-aggregates can be induced for multiple cycles simply by addition and subsequent destruction of the cage. We expect that the ability to rapidly and reversibly manipulate the optical properties of supramolecular inclusion complexes in aqueous media will open up avenues for developing detection systems that operate within biological environments.

Effects of Concentration on Aggregation of BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Dyes Solution

Despite significant progress in understanding of dye aggregation, there are still processes that need to be further explored and which can significantly affect aggregation. In this work it was shown that the aggregation of dyes is influenced not only by dye concentration, but also by solvent polarity. It was found that nature, positions and number of fluorescent peaks may be controlled by simultaneous varying of both water fraction and dye concentration. This effect is most pronounced for molecular rotors, which aggregates' geometry may be stabilized in different separate states depending on the aggregation degree. The concentration effect plays a significant role in dye aggregation and should be considered in new studies in order to prevent misinterpretation or to obtain new results in fields of molecular sensing or fine-tuning of fluorescence color. In this paper aggregation caused spectral changes are discussed in line with the dye structure preorganization as the strategy for the fine tuning of practically valuable spectral characteristics.

Systematically Exploring Molecular Aggregation and Its Impact on Surface Tension and Viscosity in High Concentration Solutions

The aggregation structure of dye molecules has a great influence on the properties of dye solutions, especially in high concentration. Here, the dye molecular aggregation structures were investigated systemically in aqueous solutions with high concentration using three reactive dyes (O-13, R-24:1 and R-218). O-13 showed stronger aggregation than R-24:1 and R-218. This is because of the small non-conjugate side chain and its β-linked position on the naphthalene of O-13. Compared with R-218, R-24:1 showed relatively weaker aggregation due to the good solution of R-24:1. The change of different aggregate distributions in the solutions were also investigated by splitting the absorption curves. Moreover, it is found that the surface tension of solutions can be modified by the combined effect of both aggregation and the position of the hydrophilic group, which, however, also have an effect on viscosity. This exploration will provide guidance for the study of high concentration solutions.

A H-aggregating fluorescent probe for recognizing both mercury and copper ions based on a dicarboxyl-pyridyl bifunctionalized difluoroboron dipyrromethene

A difluoroboron dipyrromethene fluorescent probe is fabricated for recognizing both Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions based on an extraordinary ion-induced H-aggregation.

Photophysical properties of some novel tetraphenylimidazole derived BODIPY based fluorescent molecular rotors

In this work, we present tetraphenylimidazole-based BODIPYs (HPIB1–HPIB4) as fluorescent molecular rotors exhibiting aggregation induced emission, solid state fluorescence and appreciable sensitivity towards viscosity.

Supramolecular organization and optical properties of BODIPY derivatives in Langmuir–Schaefer films

Formation of thin-film nanomaterials, promising for nanoelectronic applications, with a given structure based on four new BODIPY dyes.

Self-Assembly of a Carboxyl-Functionalized BODIPY Dye via Hydrogen Bonding

We report the synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly behavior of a 4,4-Difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dye functionalized at the meso-position with a butyric acid group. Various spectroscopic investigations (UV-Vis, emission, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies) supported by X-ray analysis revealed the formation of self-assembled structures in the solid state with translationally stacked BODIPY units driven by hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups.

Rational Engineering of BODIPY-Bridged Trisindole Derivatives for Solar Cell Applications

Boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and its derivatives are known to be efficient photon-harvesting chromophores. However, their study as active materials in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells is still scarce. In this study, the development of new synthetic ways to design original BODIPY-based dumbbell-shape molecules, including a first 2,3,5,6-tetravinyl aromatic BODIPY molecule, is reported. High fill factors can be obtained in BHJ solar cells when blended with a fullerene derivative, leading to a new record BODIPY-based power conversion efficiency of 5.8 %.

Diffusional motion as a gauge of fluidity and interfacial adhesion. Supported alkylphosphonate monolayers

We report on the use of diffusion measurements to gauge the fluidity and surface binding properties of a molecular monolayer. The monolayer film consists of octadecyl-1-phosphonic acid (ODPA) and controlled amounts of a lyso-phosphatidic acid tagged with the fluorescent probe BODIPY (BLPA). The monolayer films were formed using a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) trough and deposited onto a glass slide. Monolayer morphology was characterized during film formation using Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy was used to measure translational diffusion of BLPA and Fluorescence Anisotropy Decay Imaging (FADI) was used to measure rotational diffusion of the BLPA chromophore. These results provide information on the motional freedom of the probe and, importantly, on the strength of interaction between the probe and the support. Compositional variations in the monolayer give rise to changes in constituent dynamics that reflect intermolecular interactions.

From Dark to Light to Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET): Polarity-Sensitive Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE)-Active Tetraphenylethene-Fused BODIPY Dyes with a Very Large Pseudo-Stokes Shift

The work presented herein is devoted to the fabrication of large Stokes shift dyes in both organic and aqueous media by combining dark resonance energy transfer (DRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in one donor-acceptor system. In this respect, a series of donor-acceptor architectures of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes substituted by one, two, or three tetraphenylethene (TPE) luminogens were designed and synthesised. The photophysical properties of these three chromophore systems were studied to provide insight into the nature of donor-acceptor interactions in both THF and aqueous media. Because the generation of emissive TPE donor(s) is strongly polarity dependent, due to its aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature, one might expect the formation of appreciable fluorescence emission intensity with a very large pseudo-Stokes shift in aqueous media when considering FRET process. Interestingly, similar results were also recorded in THF for the chromophore systems, although the TPE fragment(s) of the dyes are non-emissive. The explanation for this photophysical behaviour lies in the DRET. This is the first report on combining two energy-transfer processes, namely, FRET and DRET, in one polarity-sensitive donor-acceptor pair system. The accuracy of the dark-emissive donor property of the TPE luminogen is also presented for the first time as a new feature for AIE phenomena.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Fluorescence Properties of Mixed Molecular Multilayer Films of BODIPY and Zn(II) Tetraphenylporphyrins

A new azido functionalized 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) has been synthesized to achieve spectral complementarity to a Zn(II) tetraphenylethynyl porphyrin (ZnTPEP). Mixed multilayer films were assembled on glass and quartz up to 10 bilayers thick in a layer-by-layer (LbL) fabrication process using copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) to couple these two dyes together with a tris-azido linker. By varying the amount of BODIPY in the CuAAC reaction solutions for the azido linker layers, we achieve tunable doping of BODIPY within the porphyrin films. We are able to demonstrate linear film growth and determine thickness by X-ray reflectivity (XRR). XRR data indicated that lower BODIPY loading leads to higher porphyrin content and slightly thicker films. Fluorescence emission and excitation spectra of the mixed multilayer films show efficient quenching of the BODIPY singlet and enhanced ZnTPEP emission, suggesting efficient energy transfer (EnT). The ease of fabrication and tunability of these films may serve as potential light harvesting arrays for molecular-based solar cells.

Co-self-assembled nanoaggregates of BODIPY amphiphiles for dual colour imaging of live cells

Co-self-assembled vesicular nanoparticles of two structurally comparable amphiphilic boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes with dequenchable dual colour fluorescence were prepared for ratiometric imaging of live cells.

A fluorescent probe for the 3'-overhang of telomeric DNA based on competition between two interstrand G-quadruplexes

A 6-mer oligonucleotide containing a fluorescent (Bod)U moiety has been used as a novel fluorescent probe for the 3'-overhang of telomeric DNA based on competition between non-fluorescent tetramolecular and fluorescent (3+1) intermolecular G-quadruplexes.

(E)-6-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-4-[(2-cyano-3-phenyl-all-yl)sulfan-yl]-2,2-difluoro-3-phenyl-1,3,2-oxaza-borinin-3-ium-2-uide

In the title compound, C25H18BClF2N2OS, the characteristic B-N and B-O bond lengths are 1.571 (3) and 1.458 (3) Å, respectively. The phenyl rings form dihedral angles of 83.1 (1) and 64.6 (1)° with the chloro-phenyl ring. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯N, C-H⋯F, C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances 3.877 (6) Å between the chloro-phenyl rings of neighbouring mol-ecules] held mol-ecules together, forming ladders along the b axis.

Artificial light-harvesting arrays: electronic energy migration and trapping on a sphere and between spheres

A sophisticated model of the natural light-harvesting antenna has been devised by decorating a C(60) hexa-adduct with ten yellow and two blue boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) dyes in such a way that the dyes retain their individuality and assist solubility of the fullerene. Unusually, the fullerene core is a poor electron acceptor and does not enter into light-induced electron-transfer reactions with the appended dyes, but ineffective electronic energy transfer from the excited-state dye to the C(60) residue competes with fluorescence from the yellow dye. Intraparticle electronic energy transfer from yellow to blue dyes can be followed by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and by excitation spectra for isolated C(60) nanoparticles dissolved in dioxane at 293 K and at 77 K. The decorated particles can be loaded into polymer films by spin coating from solution. In the dried film, efficient energy transfer occurs such that photons absorbed by the yellow dye are emitted by the blue dye. Films can also be prepared to contain C(60) nanoparticles loaded with the yellow Bodipy dye but lacking the blue dye and, under these circumstances, electronic energy migration occurs between yellow dyes appended to the same nanoparticle and, at higher loading, to dye molecules on nearby particles. Doping these latter polymer films with the mixed-dye nanoparticle coalesces these multifarious processes in a single system. Thus, long-range energy migration occurs among yellow dyes attached to different particles before trapping at a blue dye. In this respect, the film resembles the natural photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes, albeit at much reduced efficacy. The decorated nanoparticles sensitize amorphous silicon photocells.

A selective colorimetric and fluorometric ammonium ion sensor based on the H-aggregation of an aza-BODIPY with fused pyrazine rings

The synthesis of a novel aza-BODIPY dye functionalized with fused pyrazine rings, suitable for use as a selective colorimetric and fluorometric sensor for NH(4)(+), is outlined. In addition to significant fluorescence quenching, an obvious colorimetric change from green to red-pink is observed enabling facile "naked-eye" detection of NH(4)(+).