Singlet Oxygen Generation and Triplet Excited-State Spectra of Brominated BODIPY

Expanding the Anti-Stokes Shift of TTA-UC to 1.04 eV by Chemical Tuning of BODIPY-Based Organic Photosensitizers

A series of BODIPY-derivatives B-1 ∼ B-5 were synthesized as metal-free photosensitizers in triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion (UC) with the purpose of finely tuning the excited state properties to reduce the energy loss during intersystem crossing (ISC), and hence to expand the anti-Stokes shift of TTA-UC. It was revealed that B-5 showed a ΔEST of as small as 0.28 eV, thus, providing a large anti-Stokes shift of 1.04 eV in TTA-UC with organic sensitizers. A deep red-blue upconversion emission with UC quantum yields of up to 10.7% (out of a 50% maximum) was observed.

Alkyl Derivatives of Perylene Photosensitizing Antivirals: Towards Understanding the Influence of Lipophilicity

Amphipathic perylene derivatives are broad-spectrum antivirals against enveloped viruses that act as fusion inhibitors in a light-dependent manner. The compounds target the lipid bilayer of the viral envelope using the lipophilic perylene moiety and photogenerating singlet oxygen, thereby causing damage to unsaturated lipids. Previous studies show that variation of the polar part of the molecule is important for antiviral activity. Here, we report modification of the lipophilic part of the molecule, perylene, by the introduction of 4-, 8-, and 12-carbon alkyls into position 9(10) of the perylene residue. Using Friedel-Crafts acylation and Wolff-Kishner reduction, three 3-acetyl-9(10)-alkylperylenes were synthesized from perylene and used to prepare 9 nucleoside and 12 non-nucleoside amphipathic derivatives. These compounds were characterized as fluorophores and singlet oxygen generators, as well as tested as antivirals against herpes virus-1 (HSV-1) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), both known for causing superficial skin/mucosa lesions and thus serving as suitable candidates for photodynamic therapy. The results suggest that derivatives with a short alkyl chain (butyl) have strong antiviral activity, whereas the introduction of longer alkyl substituents (n = 8 and 12) to the perylenyethynyl scaffold results in a dramatic reduction of antiviral activity. This phenomenon is likely attributable to the increased lipophilicity of the compounds and their ability to form insoluble aggregates. Moreover, molecular dynamic studies revealed that alkylated perylene derivatives are predominately located closer to the middle of the bilayer compared to non-alkylated derivatives. The predicted probability of superficial positioning correlated with antiviral activity, suggesting that singlet oxygen generation is achieved in the subsurface layer of the membrane, where the perylene group is more accessible to dissolved oxygen.

BODIPY as a Multifunctional Theranostic Reagent in Biomedicine: Self-Assembly, Properties, and Applications

The use of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) in biomedicine is reviewed. To open, its synthesis and regulatory strategies are summarized, and inspiring cutting-edge work in post-functionalization strategies is highlighted. A brief overview of assembly model of BODIPY is then provided: BODIPY is introduced as a promising building block for the formation of single- and multicomponent self-assembled systems, including nanostructures suitable for aqueous environments, thereby showing the great development potential of supramolecular assembly in biomedicine applications. The frontier progress of BODIPY in biomedical application is thereafter described, supported by examples of the frontiers of biomedical applications of BODIPY-containing smart materials: it mainly involves the application of materials based on BODIPY building blocks and their assemblies in fluorescence bioimaging, photoacoustic imaging, disease treatment including photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy. Lastly, not only the current status of the BODIPY family in the biomedical field but also the challenges worth considering are summarized. At the same time, insights into the future development prospects of biomedically applicable BODIPY are provided.

Bromo- and glycosyl-substituted BODIPYs for application in photodynamic therapy and imaging

The introduction of heavy atoms into the BODIPY-core structure has proven to be a straightforward strategy for optimizing the design of such dyes towards enhanced generation of singlet oxygen rendering them suitable as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, BODIPYs are presented by combining the concept of bromination with nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) of a pentafluorophenyl or a 4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl moiety to introduce functional groups, thus improving the phototoxic effect of the BODIPYs as well as their solubility in the biological environment. The nucleophilic substitution enabled functionalization with various amines and alcohols as well as unprotected thiocarbohydrates. The phototoxic activity of these more than 50 BODIPYs has been assessed in cellular assays against four cancer cell lines in order to more broadly evaluate their PDT potential, thus accounting for the known variability between cell lines with respect to PDT activity. In these investigations, dibrominated polar-substituted BODIPYs, particularly dibrominated glyco-substituted compounds, showed promising potential as photomedicine candidates. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of the glycosylated BODIPYs has been confirmed via fluorescence microscopy.

Development and photo-properties and intracellular behavior of visible-light-responsive molecule localizing to organelles of living cell

Visible-light-responsive azobenzene derivative in which a functional group having cell membrane permeability and a fluorophore were bonded was synthesized. This compound localized to the hydrophobic part in the lipid membrane of the liposome, and when the light corresponding to the transition absorption of azobenzene was irradiated, morphological change of the liposome was observed. When this compound was loaded into living cells, this molecule localized to the lysosome and when irradiated with light of the same wavelength caused cell death. These observed changes are thought to be due to photoisomerization of azobenzene derivatives.

Graphical abstract

Functionalized reactive polymers for the removal of chemical warfare agents: A review

Protection from and removal of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from the environment remains a global goal. Activated charcoal, metal oxides, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), polyoxometalates (POMs) and reactive polymers have all been investigated for CWA removal. Composite polymeric materials are rapidly gaining traction as versatile building blocks for personal protective equipment (PPE) and catalytic devices. Polymers are inexpensive to produce and easily engineered into a wide range of materials including films, electro-spun fibers, mixed-matrix membranes/reactors, and other forms. When containing reactive side-chains, hydrolysis catalysts, and/or oxidative catalysts polymeric devices are primed for CWA decontamination. In this review, recent advances in reactive polymeric materials for CWA removal are summarized. To aid in comparing the effectiveness of the different solid catalysts, particular attention is paid to the stoichiometric ratio of reactive species to toxic substrate (CWA or CWA simulant).

BODIPY-Based Multichromophoric Tripodal System as a Multifunctional Material

The strategic design, synthesis, and thorough characterizations of a redox-active BODIPY-based tripodal system (tri-BDP) displaying efficient aggregation-induced emission (AIE), great sensitivity toward the viscosity of a medium, ability for triplet photosensitization, singlet oxygen generation, and photooxidation have been described. The photophysical properties of tri-BDP in various solvents and in the solid state have been extensively investigated. It displayed efficient AIE and green (∼520) emission in acetonitrile/ether mixture and red (∼621 nm) emission in the solid state. Detailed viscosity-dependent studies suggested that it can act as a fluorescent molecular rotor. Triplet photosensitization, singlet oxygen generation, and photooxidation studies in the presence of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and 1,5-dihydroxyl naphthalene suggested its high efficiency toward intersystem crossing and singlet oxygen generation. Detailed electrochemical investigations suggested the redox activity of the system. Hence, this system represents multifunctional features and can be applied as a functional material for various applications.

How Computations Can Assist the Rational Design of Drugs for Photodynamic Therapy: Photosensitizing Activity Assessment of a Ru(II)-BODIPY Assembly

Ruthenium-based complexes represent a new frontier in light-mediated therapeutic strategies against cancer. Here, a density functional-theory-based computational investigation, of the photophysical properties of a conjugate BODIPY-Ru(II) complex, is presented. Such a complex was reported to be a good photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT), successfully integrating the qualities of a NIR-absorbing distyryl-BODIPY dye and a PDT-active [Ru(bpy)3]2+ moiety. Therefore, the behaviour of the conjugate BODIPY-Ru(II) complex was compared with those of the metal-free BODIPY chromophore and the Ru(II) complex. Absorptions spectra, excitation energies of both singlet and triplet states as well as spin–orbit-matrix elements (SOCs) were used to rationalise the experimentally observed different activities of the three potential chromophores. The outcomes evidence a limited participation of the Ru moiety in the ISC processes that justifies the small SOCs obtained for the conjugate. A plausible explanation was provided combining the computational results with the experimental evidences.

Naphthalimide-Carbazole Compact Electron Donor-Acceptor Dyads: Effect of Molecular Geometry and Electron-Donating Capacity on the Spin-Orbit Charge Transfer Intersystem Crossing

We prepared a series of naphthalimide (NI)-carbazole (Cz) compact electron donor-acceptor dyads showing different substitution positions, C-N/C-C linkers, and conformation restriction magnitudes to study the spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). The varied conformation restrictions lead to different dihedral angles between the donor and acceptor (37°-81°) and electronic coupling magnitude (matrix elements V: 1290-3070 cm^-1). Based on the comparison between the dyads containing C-N and C-C linkers, we found that a large dihedral angle between the donor and acceptor is favorable to efficient SOCT-ISC. For one dyad, the singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) is up to 84.4% (in dichloromethane), which is much higher than that of the previously reported NI-phenothiazine (PTZ) analogue dyad (Φ_Δ = 16.0% in n-hexane). The intrinsic triplet state lifetime (τ_T) is 270 μs, longer than that accessed by the heavy atom effect (75.2 μs). As compared with the NI-PTZ analogue dyad, the Cz unit in the current dyads is a weaker electron donor than PTZ. Thus, a higher CT state energy in NI-Cz dyads was observed, which makes the SOCT-ISC efficient in solvents with a wide range of polarities. Meanwhile, the localized triplet state (³LE) becomes the lowest-lying state in the NI-Cz dyads, which is different from the triplet charge transfer (³CT) state observed in the analogue NI-PTZ dyad. Moreover, the large energy gap between the CT and ³LE states inhibits the reverse ISC; as a result, no thermally activated delayed fluorescence was observed for the current NI-Cz dyads.

Photodynamic treatment of pathogens

The current viral pandemic has highlighted the compelling need for effective and versatile treatments, that can be quickly tuned to tackle new threats, and are robust against mutations. Development of such treatments is made even more urgent in view of the decreasing effectiveness of current antibiotics, that makes microbial infections the next emerging global threat. Photodynamic effect is one such method. It relies on physical processes proceeding from excited states of particular organic molecules, called photosensitizers, generated upon absorption of visible or near infrared light. The excited states of these molecules, tailored to undergo efficient intersystem crossing, interact with molecular oxygen and generate short lived reactive oxygen species (ROS), mostly singlet oxygen. These species are highly cytotoxic through non-specific oxidation reactions and constitute the basis of the treatment. In spite of the apparent simplicity of the principle, the method still has to face important challenges. For instance, the short lifetime of ROS means that the photosensitizer must reach the target within a few tens nanometers, which requires proper molecular engineering at the nanoscale level. Photoactive nanostructures thus engineered should ideally comprise a functionality that turns the system into a theranostic means, for instance, through introduction of fluorophores suitable for nanoscopy. We discuss the principles of the method and the current molecular strategies that have been and still are being explored in antimicrobial and antiviral photodynamic treatment.

Photochromic Coordination Compound: Oxygen-Assisted Photoinduced Color Change for Triplet Oxygen Detection

Detection of oxygen though color change is highly desirable for rapid qualitative analysis like the case of pH test papers. This work demonstrates ³O₂-assisted photoinduced color change of a new photochromic coordination compound [Zn(4-aminopyridine)₂Cl₂] (ZnaPyCl), which represents the first photochromic compound with a selective ³O₂ detection ability. The compound underwent photoinduced intraligand charge separation and formed a stable diradical-like triplet species in the solid state or in frozen solution, accompanied by conversion of triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen.

Charge Transfer, Intersystem Crossing, and Electron Spin Dynamics in a Compact Perylenemonoimide-Phenoxazine Electron Donor-Acceptor Dyad

With phenoxazine (PXZ) as the electron donor and perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (PMI) as the electron acceptor, we prepared a compact, orthogonal electron donor-acceptor dyad (PMI-PXZ) to study the spin-orbit charge transfer-induced intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). A weak charge transfer (CT) absorption band, due to S₀ → ¹CT transition, was observed (ε = 2840 M^-1 cm^-1 at 554 nm, FWHM: 2850 cm^-1), which is different from that of the previously reported analogue dyad with phenothiazine as the electron donor (PMI-PTZ), for which no CT absorption band was observed. A long-lived triplet state was observed (lifetime τ_T = 182 μs) with nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, and the singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ = 76%) is higher than that of the previously reported analogue dyad PMI-PTZ (Φ_Δ = 57%). Ultrafast charge separation (ca. 0.14 ps) and slow charge recombination (1.4 ns) were observed with femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. With time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (TREPR), we confirmed the SOCT-ISC mechanism, and the electron spin polarization phase pattern of the triplet-state TREPR spectrum is (e, e, a, e, a, a), which is dramatically different from that of PMI-PTZ (a, e, a, e, a, e), indicating that the triplet-state TREPR spectrum of a specific chromophore in the electron donor-acceptor dyads is not only dependent on the geometry of the dyads but also dependent on the structure of the electron donor (or acceptor). Even one-atom variation in the donor structure may cause significant influence on the electron spin selectivity of the ISC of the electron donor-acceptor dyads.

Theoretical Investigation of the Effect of Alkylation and Bromination on Intersystem Crossing in BODIPY-Based Photosensitizers

Halogenated and alkylated BODIPY derivatives are reported as suitable candidates for their use as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy due to their efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) between states of different spin multiplicities. Spin-orbit couplings (SOCs) are evaluated using an effective one-electron spin-orbit Hamiltonian for brominated and alkylated BODIPY derivatives to investigate the quantitative effect of alkyl and bromine substituents on ISC. BODIPY derivatives containing bromine atoms have been found to have significantly stronger SOCs than alkylated BODIPY derivatives outside the Frank-Condon region while they are nearly the same at local minima. Based on calculated time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) vertical excitation energies and SOCs, excited-state dynamics of three BODIPY derivatives were further explored with TD-DFT surface hopping molecular dynamics employing a simple accelerated approach. Derivatives containing bromine atoms have been found to have very similar lifetimes, which are much shorter than those of the derivatives possessing just the alkyl moieties. However, both bromine atoms and alkyl moieties reduce the HOMO/LUMO gap, thus assisting the derivatives to behave as efficient photosensitizers.

BODIPY-vinyl dibromides as triplet sensitisers for photodynamic therapy and triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion

We devised a new generation of halogen-based triplet sensitisers comprising geminal dibromides at the vinyl backbone of a BODIPY fluorophore. Incorporating geminal dibromides into the π-conjugation of BODIPY enhanced intersystem crossing due to the heavy atom effect, which in turn improved the extent of excited triplet states.

A Supramolecular Strategy to Engineering a Non-photobleaching and Near-Infrared Absorbing Nano-J-Aggregate for Efficient Photothermal Therapy

The design of organic photothermal agents (PTAs) for in vivo applications face a demanding set of performance requirements, especially intense NIR-absorptivity and sufficient photobleaching resistance. J-aggregation offers a facile way to tune the optical properties of dyes, thus providing a general design platform for organic PTAs with the desired performance. Herein, we present a supramolecular strategy to build a water-stable, nonphotobleaching, and NIR-absorbing nano-PTA (J-NP) from J-aggregation of halogenated BODIPY dyes (BDP) for efficient in vivo photothermal therapy. Multiple intermolecular halogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions triggered the formation of BDP J-aggregate, which adsorbed amphiphilic polymer chains on the surface to provide PEGylated sheetlike nano-J-aggregate (J-NS). We serendipitously discovered that the architecture of J-NS was remodeled during a long-time ultrafiltration process, generating a discrete spherical nano-J-aggregate (J-NP) with controlled size. Compared with J-NS, the remodeled J-NP significantly improved cellular uptake efficiency. J-aggregation brought J-NP striking photothermal performance, such as strong NIR-absorptivity, high photothermal conversion efficiency up to 72.0%, and favorable nonphotobleaching ability. PEGylation and shape-remodeling imparted by the polymer coating enabled J-NP to hold biocompatibility and stability in vivo, thereby exhibiting efficient antitumor photothermal activities. This work not only presents a facile J-aggregation strategy for preparing PTAs with high photothermal performance but also establishes a supramolecular platform that enables the appealing optical functions derived from J-aggregation to be applied in vivo.

Fine-Tuning Plasmon-Molecule Interactions in Gold-BODIPY Nanocomposites: The Role of Chemical Structure and Noncovalent Interactions

Strong coupling between localized surface plasmons and molecular absorptions leads to remarkable changes in the photophysical properties of dye-loaded metal nanoparticles. Here, we report supramolecular nanocomposites consisting of BODIPY, tryptophan, and gold nanoparticles, and investigate the effect of structural variations on their photophysical properties. Our results indicate that the photostability and photosensitization properties of the nanocomposites depend on the chemical composition of the BODIPY molecules. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of the nanocomposites NC1 (BODIPY, B1 bearing a single methyl group) and NC3 (BODIPY, B3 with 5 methyl and 2 iodo groups) were 0.46 and 0.42, respectively, which were significantly higher compared to their individual components. Ultrafast spectroscopy studies revealed that the migration of photoexcited BODIPY electrons to the plasmonic photoexcitation allowed electron transfer into the singlet oxygen states, thereby leading to efficient generation of singlet oxygen.

Ultrastable Near-Infrared Nonlinear Organic Chromophore Nanoparticles with Intramolecular Charge Transfer for Dually Photoinduced Tumor Ablation

Near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) of organic photosensitizers (PS) hold great promise as phototherapeutic agents for precision photoinduced cancer therapy. However, highly photostable PS nanoparticles with extraordinary photoconversion capacities are urgently desired to fully realize potent phototherapy. Here, NIR nonlinear organic chromophore nanoparticles (NOC-NPs) are shown as single-component PS for dually cooperative phototherapy. Upon 785 nm irradiation, excited NOC-NPs pass through intrinsic intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) channel to generate both abundant singlet oxygen and local hyperthermia, affording synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) for tumor ablation. Furthermore, NOC-NPs exhibit dramatic photostability, enhanced cellular uptake, effective cytoplasmic translocation, as well as preferable tumor accumulation, further ensuring favorable in vivo singlet oxygen generation and hyperthermia for photoinduced tumor ablation. Thus, NOC-NPs may represent novel high-performance PS for synergistic photoinduced cancer therapy, providing new insights into the development of potent PS for clinical translation.

Development of tethered dual catalysts: synergy between photo- and transition metal catalysts for enhanced catalysis

While dual photocatalysis-transition metal catalysis strategies are extensively reported, the majority of systems feature two separate catalysts, limiting the potential for synergistic interactions between the catalytic centres. In this work we synthesised a series of tethered dual catalysts allowing us to investigate this underexplored area of dual catalysis. In particular, Ir(i) or Ir(iii) complexes were tethered to a BODIPY photocatalyst through different tethering modes. Extensive characterisation, including transient absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, suggest that there are synergistic interactions between the catalysts. The tethered dual catalysts were more effective at promoting photocatalytic oxidation and Ir-catalysed dihydroalkoxylation, relative to the un-tethered species, highlighting that increases in both photocatalysis and Ir catalysis can be achieved. The potential of these catalysts was further demonstrated through novel sequential reactivity, and through switchable reactivity that is controlled by external stimuli (heat or light).

Exploring BODIPY Derivatives as Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizers for PDT

This minireview is devoted to honoring the memory of Dr. Thomas Dougherty, a pioneer of modern photodynamic therapy (PDT). It compiles the most important inputs made by our research group since 2012 in the development of new photosensitizers based on BODIPY chromophore which, thanks to the rich BODIPY chemistry, allows a finely tuned design of the photophysical properties of this family of dyes to serve as efficient photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen. These two factors, photophysical tuning and workable chemistry, have turned BODIPY chromophore as one of the most promising dyes for the development of improved photosensitizers for PDT. In this line, this minireview is mainly related to the establishment of chemical methods and structural designs for enabling efficient singlet oxygen generation in BODIPYs. The approaches include the incorporation of heavy atoms, such as halogens (iodine or bromine) in different number and positions on the BODIPY scaffold, and also transition metal atoms, by their complexation with Ir(III) center, for instance. On the other hand, low-toxicity approaches, without involving heavy metals, have been developed by preparing several orthogonal BODIPY dimers with different substitution patterns. The advantages and drawbacks of all these diverse molecular designs based on BODIPY structural framework are described.

Exploring the relationship between structure and activity in BODIPYs designed for antimicrobial phototherapy

A synthetic strategy to BODIPY dyes is presented giving access to a range of new compounds relevant in the context of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). BODIPYs with the 8-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl) and the 8-pentafluorophenyl substituents were used for the synthesis of new mono- and dibrominated BODIPYs. The para-fluorine atoms in these electron-withdrawing groups facilitate functional modification via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) with a number of amines and thio-carbohydrates. Subsequently, the antibacterial phototoxic activity of these BODIPYs has been assessed in bacterial assays against the Gram-positive germ S. aureus and also against the Gram-negative germ P. aeruginosa. The bacterial assays allowed to identify substitution patterns which ensured antibacterial activity not only in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) but also in the presence of serum, hereby more realistically modelling the complex biological environment that is present in clinical applications.

Structurally Characterized BODIPY-Appended Oxidovanadium(IV) β-Diketonates for Mitochondria-Targeted Photocytotoxicity

Mixed-ligand oxidovanadium(IV) β-diketonates having NNN-donor dipicolylamine-conjugated to boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY in L₁) and diiodo-BODIPY (in L₂) moieties, namely, [VO(L₁)(acac)]Cl (1), [VO(L₂)(acac)]Cl (2), and [VO(L₁)(dbm)]Cl (3), where acac and dbm are monoanionic O,O-donor acetylacetone and 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione, were prepared, characterized, and tested for their photoinduced anticancer activity in visible light. Complexes 1 and 2 were structurally characterized as their PF₆ ^- salts (1a and 2a) by X-ray crystallography. They showed V^IVN₃O₃ six-coordinate geometry with dipicolylamine base as the facial ligand. The non-iodinated BODIPY complexes displayed absorption maxima at ∼501 nm, while it is ∼535 nm for the di-iodinated 2 in 10% DMSO-PBS buffer medium (pH = 7.2). Complexes 1 and 3 being green emissive (λ_em, ∼512 nm; λ_ex, 470 nm; Φ_F, ∼0.10) in 10% aqueous DMSO were used for cellular imaging studies. Complex 3 localized primarily in the mitochondria of the cervical HeLa cells with a co-localization coefficient value of 0.7. The non-emissive diiodo-BODIPY complex 2 showed generation of singlet oxygen (Φ_Δ ≈ 0.47) on light activation. Annexin-V assay showed singlet oxygen-mediated cellular apoptosis, making this complex a targeted PDT agent.

Visible-light photooxidation in water by 1O2-generating supramolecular hydrogels

An aqueous photocatalytic system exploits photophysical properties arising from the formation of supramolecular hydrogels, with properties and assembly modulated by the amino acids appended to an organic chromophore.

Methylthio BODIPY as a standard triplet photosensitizer for singlet oxygen production: a photophysical study

A complete photophysical study on the iodinated-BODIPY, 3,5-dimethyl-2,6-diiodo-8-thiomethyl-pyrromethene (MeSBDP), demonstrated that it is an excellent triplet photosensitizer for singlet oxygen production in a broad range of apolar and polar solvents. Besides its absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, the dynamics of its excited states including its intersystem crossing rate was characterized by femtosecond transient experiments. The photophysical study of its triplet state by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and phosphorescence emission concluded to a diffusion-controlled quenching of 3MeSBDP by O2 and to a fraction of triplet state quenching by O2 close to unity. The high (>0.87) and solvent-insensitive singlet oxygen quantum yield φΔ measured by singlet oxygen phosphorescence emission, together with the noticeable photostability of MeSBSP, as well as the absence of quenching of singlet oxygen by MeSBDP itself, allows claiming it as an alternative standard photosensitizer for singlet oxygen production, under excitation either in the UV or in the visible range.

Photophysics of BODIPY-Based Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy: Surface Hopping and Classical Molecular Dynamics

Halogenated BODIPY derivatives are emerging as important candidates for photodynamic therapy of cancer cells due to their high triplet quantum yield. We probed fundamental photophysical properties and interactions with biological environments of such photosensitizers. To this end, we employed static TD-DFT quantum chemical calculations as well as TD-DFT surface hopping molecular dynamics on potential energy surfaces resulting from the eigenstates of the total electronic Hamiltonian including the spin-orbit (SO) coupling. Matrix elements of an effective one-electron spin-orbit Hamiltonian between singlet and triplet configuration interaction singles (CIS) auxiliary wave functions are calculated using a new code capable of dealing with singlets and both restricted and unrestricted triplets built up from up to three different and independent sets of (singlet, alpha, and beta) molecular orbitals. The interaction with a biological environment was addressed by using classical molecular dynamics (MD) in a scheme that implicitly accounts for electronically excited states. For the surface hopping trajectories, an accelerated MD approach was used, in which the SO couplings are scaled up, to make the calculations computationally feasible, and the lifetimes are extrapolated back to unscaled SO couplings. The lifetime of the first excited singlet state estimated by semiclassical surface hopping simulations is 139 ± 75 ps. Classical MD demonstrates that halogenated BODIPY in the ground state, in contrast to the unsubstituted one, is stable in the headgroup region of minimalistic cell membrane models, and while in the triplet state, the molecule relocates to the membrane interior ready for further steps of photodynamic therapy.

gem-Dibromovinyl boron dipyrrins: synthesis, spectral properties and crystal structures

A family of new asymmetric and symmetric 1,3,7,9-tetramethyl-4,4-bora difluoro-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) derivatives, bearing gem-dibromovinyl substituents, was synthesized by the Corey-Fuchs olefination method. One or two gem-dibromovinyl moieties were attached at either the p-position of 5-phenyl, or the β-position of the pyrrole ring, directly or, through phenyl spacers. The assigned structures were supported by MS, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F), X-ray diffraction analysis and for some compounds 2D HSQC and ¹¹B NMR as well as optical spectroscopy. Their absorption and fluorescence properties and solvatochromism in different solvents were investigated. The highest absorption and emission maxima were obtained for compounds having two gem-dibromovinyl groups attached directly or through the phenyl spacer. The best correlation (R-coefficient) between the solvent and spectral properties of the BODIPYs were obtained using the refractive index of the solvent. Although these compounds are structurally quite similar, their solid states show remarkable differences in the crystal system, clearly revealing two distinct patterns of gem-dibromovinyl orientation and torsion angles of the 5-phenyl ring and the indacene plane. Hirshfeld surface analysis data were used to visualize various intermolecular interactions.

Directing energy transfer in Pt(bodipy)(mercaptopyrene) dyads

We report on the photophysical properties of three dyads that combine a 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (bodipy, BDP) and a mercaptopyrene (SPyr) dye ligand at a Pt(PEt3)2 fragment. σ-Bonding of the dyes to the Pt ion promotes intersystem crossing (ISC) via the external heavy atom effect. The coupling of efficient ISC with charge-transfer from the electron-rich mercaptopyrene to the electron-accepting BDP ligand (PB-CT) gives rise to a multitude of (potentially) emissive states. This culminates in the presence of four different emissions for the mono- and dinuclear complexes BPtSPyr and BPtSPyrSPtB with an unsubstituted BDP ligand and either a terminal 1-mercaptopyrene or a bridging pyrene-1,6-dithiolate ligand. Thus, in fluid solution, near IR emission at 724 nm from the 3PB-CT state is observed with a quantum yield of up to 15%. Excitation into the BDP-based 1ππ* or the pyrene-based 1ππ* band additionally trigger fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions from the BDP-centred 1ππ* and 3ππ* states. In frozen solution, at 77 K, phosphorescence from the pyrene ligand becomes the prominent emission channel, while PB-CT emission is absent. Alkylation of the BDP ligand in KBPtSPyr funnels all excitation energy into fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions from the KBDP ligand. The assignments of the various excited states and the deactivation cascades were probed by absorption and emission spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, electrochemical and UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemical measurements, and by quantum chemical calculations. Our conclusions are further corroborated with the aid of suitable reference compounds comprising of just one chromophore. All dyads are triplet sensitizers and are able to generate singlet oxygen.

Synthesis, structure, photophysical, electrochemical properties and antibacterial activity of brominated BODIPYs as an inhibitor of DNA gyrase B of S. aureus

BODIPYs with 3-thienyl and 4-acetamido phenyl groups substituted at the meso-position are subjected to regioselective bromination using three equivalents of [Formula: see text]-bromosuccinimide (NBS) to yield their 2-mono and 2,6-di bromoderivatives. Their photophysical, electrochemical and antimicrobial properties are investigated. This paper presents a mechanistic investigation of the antibacterial effect of brominated BODIPYs, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus. Fluorescence microscopic images reveal that the compounds are internalized effectively within the bacterial cells, making it an ideal antibacterial drug. Morphological analysis of the bacterial cells after the treatment with the test compounds showed that the compounds did not affect the cell membrane or cell wall and the antibacterial effect of these compounds is achieved via a different mechanism. The most effective compound was selected to explore the target of action. Molecular docking studies were performed on 22 selected proteins in S. aureus and the in silico results were validated by in vitro experiments. It was observed that the supercoiling activity of DNA gyrase was completely inhibited by the 2,6-dibromo-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-(4-acetamido)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-[Formula: see text]-indacene, 3c by forming H-bonds with the ASP 81 residue of the enzyme.

Fluorescence-Based Observation of Transient Electrochemical and Electrokinetic Effects at Nanoconfined Bipolar Electrodes

Bipolar electrodes (BPEs) are conductors that, when exposed to an electric field, polarize and promote the accumulation of counterionic charge near their poles. The rich physics of electrokinetic behavior near BPEs has not yet been rigorously studied, with our current understanding of such bipolar effects being restricted to steady-state conditions (under constant applied fields). Here, we reveal the dynamic electrokinetic and electrochemical phenomena that occur near nanoconfined BPEs throughout all stages of a reaction. Specifically, we demonstrate, both experimentally and through numerical modeling, that the removal of an electric field produces solution-phase charge imbalances in the vicinity of the BPE poles. These imbalances induce intense and short-lived nonequilibrium electric fields that drive the rapid transport of ions toward specific BPE locations. To determine the origin of these electrokinetic effects, we monitored the movement and fluorescent behavior (enhancement or quenching) of charged fluorophores within well-defined nanofluidic architectures via real-time optical detection. By systematically varying the nature of the fluorophore, the concentration of the electrolyte, the strength of the applied field, and oxide growth on the BPE surface, we dissect the ion transport events that occur in the aftermath of field-induced polarization. The results contained in this work provide new insights into transient bipolar electrokinetics that improve our understanding of current analytical platforms and can drive the development of new micro- and nanoelectrochemical systems.