Synthesis and Charge-Transfer Dynamics in a Ferrocene-Containing Organoboryl aza-BODIPY Donor–Acceptor Triad with Boron as the Hub

High-Spin State of a Ferrocene Electron Donor Revealed by Optical and X-ray Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Ferrocene is one of the most common electron donors, and mapping its ligand-field excited states is critical to designing donor-acceptor (D-A) molecules with long-lived charge transfer states. Although 3(d-d) states are commonly invoked in the photophysics of ferrocene complexes, mention of the high-spin 5(d-d) state is scarce. Here, we provide clear evidence of 5(d-d) formation in a bimetallic D-A molecule, ferrocenyl cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate ([FcCc]PF6). Femtosecond optical transient absorption (OTA) spectroscopy reveals two distinct electronic excited states with 30 and 500 ps lifetimes. Using a combination of ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared probe pulses, we capture the spectral features of these states over an ultrabroadband range spanning 320 to 2200 nm. Time-dependent density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the lowest triplet and quintet states, both primarily Fe(II) (d-d) in character, qualitatively agree with the experimental OTA spectra, allowing us to assign the 30 ps state as the 3(d-d) state and the 500 ps state as the high-spin 5(d-d) state. To confirm the ferrocene-centered high-spin character of the 500 ps state, we performed X-ray transient absorption (XTA) spectroscopy at the Fe and Co K edges. The Fe K-edge XTA spectrum at 150 ps shows a red shift of the absorption edge that is consistent with an Fe(II) high-spin state, as supported by ab initio calculations. The transient signal detected at the Co K-edge is 50× weaker, confirming the ferrocene-centered character of the excited state. Fitting of the transient extended X-ray absorption fine structure region yields an Fe-C bond length increase of 0.25 ± 0.1 Å in the excited state, as expected for the high-spin state based on DFT. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the high-spin state of ferrocene should be considered when designing donor-acceptor assemblies for photocatalysis and photovoltaics.

Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Organometallic BODIPY-Ru(II) Dyads: Redox and Photophysical Properties with Singlet Oxygen Generation Capability†

A series of Ru(II)-acetylide complexes (Ru1, Ru2, and Ru1m) with alkynyl-functionalized borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) conjugates were designed by varying the position of the linker that connects the BODIPY unit to the Ru(II) metal center through acetylide linkage at either the 2-(Ru1) and 2,6-(Ru2) or the meso-phenyl (Ru1m) position of the BODIPY scaffold. The Ru(II) organometallic complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, CHN, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analyses. The Ru(II)-BODIPY conjugates exhibit fascinating electrochemical and photophysical properties. All BODIPY-Ru(II) complexes exhibit strong absorption (εmax = 29,000-72,000 M-1 cm-1) in the visible region (λmax = 502-709 nm). Fluorescence is almost quenched for Ru1 and Ru2, whereas Ru1m shows the residual fluorescence of the corresponding BODIPY core at 517 nm. The application of the BODIPY-Ru(II) dyads as nonporphyrin-based triplet photosensitizers was explored by a method involving the singlet oxygen (1O2)-mediated photo-oxidation of diphenylisobenzofuran. Effective π-conjugation between the BODIPY chromophore and Ru(II) center in the case of Ru1 and Ru2 was found to be necessary to improve intersystem crossing (ISC) and hence the 1O2-sensitizing ability. In addition, electrochemical studies indicate electronic interplay between the metal center and the redox-active BODIPY in the BODIPY-Ru(II) dyads.

Aryl-Boron-Substituted BODIPYs: Direct Access via Aluminum-Chloride-Mediated Arylation from Arylstannanes and Tuning the Optoelectronic Properties

An efficient procedure is presented for functionalization of BODIPYs at boron with arylstannanes as weak nucleophiles in the presence of aluminum chloride, providing new aryl-boron-substituted BODIPY and aza-BODIPY derivatives of singular importance. Most of these aryl-boron-substituted BODIPYs showed bright emission in the aqueous solution with significant aggregation-induced emission enhancement and high solid-state emission as a result of the restricted rotation of the meso-phenyl group and boron-substituted aryl groups as well as the formation of J-type aggregates.

HClO-Activated Near-Infrared Fluorogenic Aza-BODIPY-Bisferrocene Triad with High Turn-on Ratio for In Vivo Biosensing

Optically monitoring hypochlorous acid (HClO) in living body favors diagnosis and study of inflammatory diseases. However, this has been hampered by limited strategies to develop highly fluorogenic tools in the deep-penetration near-infrared spectrum. Herein, a near-infrared aza-BODIPY-bisferrocene triad Fc₂ -CBDP that unexpectedly achieves an exceptionally sensitive and selective fluorescence turn-on (>220-fold) response toward HClO through single-ferrocene oxidation and boron-alkynyl hydrolysis cascade is reported. Mechanism insight shows that Fc₂ -CBDP features "enhanced charge transfer"-caused quenching due to intramolecular bisferrocene electronic coupling, which is decoupled in the reaction with HClO. The utility of Fc₂ -CBDP for intracellular HClO imaging is evaluated and, more importantly, in vivo high-contrast deep-tissue imaging of lymphatic inflammation and colitis is realized. This work provides new insights into both HClO and ferrocene chemistry, and extends the reach of fluorogenic strategies in the near-infrared biosensing.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of nitrated aza-BODIPYs

A series of nitrated aza-BODIPYs on the 2- and 6-positions were regioselectively synthesized and their photophysical properties were examined.

Similar, Yet Different: Long-Range Metal-Metal Coupling and Electron-Transfer Processes in Metal-Free 5,10,15,20-Tetra(ruthenocenyl)porphyrin

The electronic structure, redox properties, and long-range metal-metal coupling in metal-free 5,10,15,20-tetra(ruthenocenyl)porphyrin (H₂TRcP) were probed by spectroscopic (NMR, UV-vis, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry, CV, and differential pulse voltammetry, DPV), spectroelectrochemical, and chemical oxidation methods, as well as theoretical (density functional theory, DFT, and time-dependent DFT, TDDFT) approaches. It was demonstrated that the spectroscopic properties of H₂TRcP are significantly different from those in H₂TFcP (metal-free 5,10,15,20-tetra(ferrocenyl)porphyrin). Ruthenocenyl fragments in H₂TRcP have higher oxidation potentials than the ferrocene groups in the H₂TFcP complex. Similar to H₂TFcP, we were able to access and spectroscopically characterize the one- and two-electron oxidized mixed-valence states in the H₂TRcP system. DFT predicts that the porphyrin π-system stabilizes the [H₂TRcP]⁺ mixed-valence cation and prevents its dimerization, which is characteristic for ruthenocenyl systems. However, formation of the mixed-valence [H₂TRcP]²⁺ is significantly less reproducible than the formation of [H₂TRcP]⁺. DFT and TDDFT calculations suggest the ruthenocenyl fragment dominance in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy region and the presence of the low-energy MLCT (Rc → porphyrin (π*)) transitions in the visible region with energies higher than the predominantly porphyrin-centered Q-bands.

Environmentally Benign Route for Scalable Preparation of 1-Imino-3-thioisoindolines-The Key Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Dithio- and Diamino-β-isoindigo Derivatives

A one-step, gram-scale protocol for the preparation of 1-imino-3-thioisoindolines and a novel one-pot two-step methodology of the synthesis of dithio- or diamino-β-isoindigo derivatives starting from phthalonitriles and sodium hydrosulfide in an aprotic dipolar solvent have been developed. It was demonstrated that the electronic properties of the substituent(s) in the phthalonitrile core play a critical role in β-isoindigo synthesis resulting either in the selective formation of dithio- or diamino-β-isoindigo chromophores. The N-acylated 1-imino-3-thioisoindolines can be used for the direct, easily scalable, and chromatography-free procedure for the preparation of a new class of N,N'-diacylamino-β-isoindigoid compounds. Properties of the monomeric as well as J-aggregated forms of dithio- and diamino-β-isoindigo were probed by the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. It was demonstrated that the tetracyano-diamino-β-isoindigo 3f can form a J-aggregate that absorbs at 793 nm and fluoresces at 824 nm. This aggregate is stable in N,N-dimethylformamide solution; however, it slowly dissociates in tetrahydrofuran or under sonication conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations were employed to elucidate the electronic structures, spectroscopic properties, and aggregation of new dithio- and diamino-β-isoindigo derivatives.

Fully Conjugated Pyrene-BODIPY and Pyrene-BODIPY-Ferrocene Dyads and Triads: Synthesis, Characterization, and Selective Noncovalent Interactions with Nanocarbon Materials

Several pyrene-boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and pyrene-BODIPY-ferrocene derivatives with a fully conjugated pyrene fragment appended to the α-position(s) of the BODIPY core have been prepared by Knoevenagel condensation reaction and characterized by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry as well as X-ray crystallography. The redox properties of new donor-acceptor BODIPY dyads and triads were studied by electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)) and spectroelectrochemical approaches. Formation of weakly bonded noncovalent complexes between the new pyrene-BODIPYs and nanocarbon materials (C₆₀, C₇₀, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), and graphene) was studied by UV-vis, steady-state fluorescent, and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. UV-vis and fluorescent spectroscopy are indicative of the much stronger and selective interaction between new dyes and (6,5)-SWCNT as well as graphene compared to that of C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes. In agreement with these data, transient absorption spectroscopy provided no evidence for any significant change in excited-state lifetime or photoinduced charge transfer between pyrene-BODIPYs and C₆₀ or C₇₀ fullerenes when the pyrene-BODIPY chromophores were excited into the lowest-energy singlet excited state. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations suggest that the pyrene fragments are fully conjugated into the π-system of BODIPY core, which correlates well with the experimental data.

Synthesis pathways for the preparation of the BODIPY analogues: aza-BODIPYs, BOPHYs and some other pyrrole-based acyclic chromophores

This mini-review summarizes the synthesis strategies for the preparation and post-functionalization of aza-BODIPYs, BOPHYs, “half-Pcs”, biliazines, MB-DIPYs, semihemiporphyrazines, BOIMPYs, BOPPYs, BOPYPYs, BOAHYs, and BOAPYs.

Probing Electronic Communication and Excited-State Dynamics in the Unprecedented Ferrocene-Containing Zinc MB-DIPY

The electronic communication between two ferrocene groups in the electron-deficient expanded aza-BODIPY analogue of zinc manitoba-dipyrromethene (MB-DIPY) was probed by spectroscopic, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and theoretical methods. The excited-state dynamics involved sub-ps formation of the charge-separated state in the organometallic zinc MB-DIPYs, followed by recovery of the ground state via charge recombination in 12 ps. The excited-state behavior was contrasted with that observed in the parent complex that lacked the ferrocene electron donors and has a much longer excited-state lifetime (670 ps for the singlet state). Much longer decay times observed for the parent complex without ferrocene confirm that the main quenching mechanism in the ferrocene-containing 4 is reflective of the ultrafast ferrocene-to-MB-DIPY core charge transfer (CT).

Aza-BODIPY-Based Nanomedicines in Cancer Phototheranostics

Cancer phototheranostics, composed of optical diagnosis and phototherapy (including photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy), is a promising strategy for precise tumor treatment. Due to the unique properties of near-infrared absorption/emission, high reactive oxygen species generation, and photothermal conversion efficiency, aza-boron-dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY), as an emerging organic photosensitizer, has shown great potential for tumor phototheranostics. By encapsulating aza-BODIPY photosensitizers within functional amphiphilic polymers, we can afford hydrophilic nanomedicines that selectively target tumor sites via an enhanced permeability and retention effect, thereby efficiently improving diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy. Herein, in this spotlight article, we attempt to highlight our recent contributions in the development of aza-BODIPY-based nanomedicines, which comprises three main sections: (1) to elucidate the design strategy of aza-BODIPY photosensitizers and corresponding nanomedicines; (2) to overview their photophysical properties and biomedical applications in phototheranostics, including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and synergistic therapy; and (3) to depict the challenges and future perspectives of aza-BODIPY nanomedicines. It is believed that this Spotlight on Applications article would illuminate the way of developing new aza-BODIPY nanomedicines as well as other organic photosensitizer-based nanomedicines for future clinical translation.

Synthesis, properties and reactivity of BCl2 aza-BODIPY complexes and salts of the aza-dipyrrinato scaffold

The synthesis and characterisation of the BCl2-chelated complexes of both archetypal aza-dipyrrin sub-types are presented. A stepwise halogen exchange, leading to a mixed-halide Cl-B-F intermediate, is implicated in the conversion of F-aza-BODIPYs to Cl-aza-BODIPYs upon treatment with BCl3. The utility of the Cl-aza-BODIPY scaffold to facilitate substitutions at boron is demonstrated under mild conditions through treatment with aryl Grignard reagents. Additionally, the lability of the B-Cl bond enables facile removal of the BCl2 group, i.e. deprotection of F-aza-BODIPYs, under aqueous conditions. Three aza-dipyrrin HX salts were also synthesised and characterised. The pKa of the protonated aza-dipyrrin was determined to be 4, thereby providing insight regarding the storage and stability of such species.

Rigid, yet flexible: formation of unprecedented silver MB-DIPY dimers with orthogonal chromophore geometry

Unprecedented for BODIPY/DIPY and aza-BODIPY/azaDIPY chemistry, MB-DIPY₂Ag₂ dimers with a twisted chromophore geometry were prepared and characterized by spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations.

Classifying donor strengths of dipyrrinato/aza-dipyrrinato ligands

A parameter is reported by which to use ¹³C NMR chemical shifts to measure and predict the donor capabilities of N^N dipyrrinato and aza-dipyrrinato ligands chelating in L^X fashion. The results enable the rationalisation of the properties of these ligands and their complexes, as well as enable rational design incorporating both steric and electronic considerations when tuning to effect desired applications. Complexes containing these ligands are prevalent due to their desirable photophysical properties such as high chemical stability, resistance to photodegradation, strong absorbance, and ease of chemical modifiability.

Modulating absorption and charge transfer in bodipy-carbazole donor–acceptor dyads through molecular design

Bodipy-based donor–acceptor dyads were evaluated using transient absorption spectroscopy to reveal the influence of beta vs. meso substitution on excited-state dynamics.

Near-infrared absorbing tetracyanobutadiene-bridged diketopyrrolopyrroles

Herein we have synthesized near-infra red absorbing TCBD bridged diketopyrrolopyrroles by a [2+2] cycloaddition–retroelectrocyclization reaction in order to see the effects of end capping donors and electron-withdrawing TCBD on the optical and electrochemical properties.

Synthesis and reactivity of aza-dipyrrin alkali metal salts

Reaction of aza-dipyrrins with alkali bases provides alkali salts of the anionic aza-dipyrrinato ligand. This anionic ligand source demonstrates complementary reactivity to the traditionally-used neutral pre-ligand.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Near-Infrared [b]Phenanthrene-Fused BF2 Azadipyrromethenes

A new class of phenanthrene-fused BF₂ azadipyrromethene (azaBODIPY) dyes have been synthesized through a tandem Suzuki reaction and oxidative ring-fusion reaction, or a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H activation reaction. These phenanthrene-fused azaBODIPY dyes are highly photostable and display markedly redshifted absorption (up to λ=771 nm) and emission bands (λ≈800 nm) in the near-infrared region. DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that, upon annulation, more pronounced stabilization of the LUMO is the origin of the bathochromic shift of the absorption and high photostability.

Ferrocene–BODIPYmerocyanine dyads: new NIR absorbing platforms with optical properties susceptible to protonation

Ferrocene–BODIPYmerocyanine dyads 5 and 6 were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and DFT calculations.

Donor acceptor type ferrocene substituted aza-BODIPYs: Synthesis, optical and electrochemical studies

Two ferrocene substituted aza-BODIPYs and their corresponding aza-dipyrrins were synthesized and studied. All the compounds were characterized by HRMS, NMR, IR, absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Absorption spectra indicated intramolecular electron transfer from the ferrocene to the aza-BODIPY core. The X-ray crystal structure of 1,7-bisferrocenyl-aza-BODIPY suggested moderate interactions between the ferrocene moieties and aza-BODIPYs core. Ferrocenyl-aza-BODIPYs were non-emissive due to electron transfer from ferrocene moieties to boron aza-dipyrrin core. However the emission of these compounds was dramatically enhanced by oxidizing the ferrocene moieties to ferrocenium ions, which prevents electron transfer between these moieties. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggested that aza-BODIPYs were easier to be reduced as compared to their corresponding aza-dipyrrins.

NIR absorbing diferrocene-containing meso-cyano-BODIPY with a UV-Vis-NIR spectrum remarkably close to that of magnesium tetracyanotetraferrocenyltetraazaporphyrin

Diferrocene-containing meso-cyano-BODIPY (4) was prepared and characterized by spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations.

Heteroatom-connected ferrocenyl substituted naphthalimides

A family of heteroatom (oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen) connected ferrocenyl naphthalimides 3a–3f were designed and synthesized by the nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Buchwald coupling reactions.

Boron templated synthesis of a BODIPY analogue from a phthalocyanine precursor

The synthesis of aza(dibenzopyrro)methenes (ADBMs) using aryl boron compounds as templates is described. Compounds (1–3) are structurally related to the BODIPYs and were isolated with terminal imine, oxo, or mixed imine-oxo groups. Compounds 1–3 were investigated for their absorption/emission properties, and were probed by DFT and TDDFT methods.

Azadipyrromethenes: from traditional dye chemistry to leading edge applications

The journey of azadipyrromethenes from accidental dye chemistry to a compound class with widely applicable near infrared photophysical properties is documented.

Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of near-infrared 3,5-diarylbenzoBODIPY fluorophores

An efficient synthetic method for 3,5-diarylbenzoBODIPYs was reported, which showed tunable absorption/emission via the variation of the 3,5-aryl substituents.