NIR-fluorescent coumarin-fused BODIPY dyes with large Stokes shifts

An Overview of the Synthesis of 3,4-Fused Pyrrolocoumarins of Biological Interest

3,4-Fused pyrrolocoumarins, synthetically prepared or naturally occurring, possess interesting biological properties. In this review, the synthetic strategies for the synthesis of the title compounds are presented along with their biological activities. Two routes are followed for that synthesis. In one, the pyrrole ring is formed from coumarin derivatives, such as aminocoumarins or other coumarins. In the other approach, the pyranone moiety is built from an existing pyrrole derivative or through the simultaneous formation of coumarin and pyrrole frameworks. The above syntheses are achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, Michael reaction, aza-Claisen rearrangement reactions, multi-component reactions (MCR), as well as metal-catalyzed reactions. Pyrrolocoumarins present cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial, α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant, lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition, and fluorescent activities, as well as benzodiazepine receptor ability.

Iodine-Catalyzed Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of 3,4-Heterocycle-Fused Coumarins from 4-Aminocoumarins and Aurones in Different Solvent

An unprecedented protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 3,4-heterocycle-fused coumarins from 4-aminocoumarins and aurones through iodine-catalyzed cascade reactions. Dihydropyridine-fused coumarin, pyridine-fused coumarin, and pyrrole-fused coumarin derivatives were achieved in good yields with high selectivity when CH3CN, AcOH, and DMSO were used as the solvent, respectively. This protocol provides several advantages, such as easily available starting materials, high atom economy, friendly environment, and simple procedure.

Rational Design and Biological Application of Hybrid Fluorophores

Fluorophores are considered powerful tools for not only enabling the visualization of cell structures, substructures, and biological processes, but also making for the quantitative and qualitative measurement of various analytes in living systems. However, most fluorophores do not meet the diverse requirements for biological applications in terms of their photophysical and biological properties. Hybridization is an important strategy in molecular engineering that provides fluorophores with complementarity and multifunctionality. This review summarizes the basic strategies of hybridization with four classes of fluorophores, including xanthene, cyanine, coumarin, and BODIPY with a focus on their structure-property relationship (SPR) and biological applications. This review aims to provide rational hybrid ideas for expanding the reservoir of knowledge regarding fluorophores and promoting the development of newly produced fluorophores for applications in the field of life sciences.

Highly crystalline and fluorescent BODIPY-labelled phenyl-triazole-coumarins as n-type semiconducting materials for OFET devices

In this work, the synthesis of BODIPY-phenyl-triazole labelled coumarins (BPhTCs) using a two-step approach is described. The influence of the BODIPY appending on the photophysical, electrochemical and thermal properties of the phenyl-triazole-coumarin precursors (PhTCs) was investigated. Band gap energies were measured by absorption spectroscopy (2.20 ± 0.02 eV in the solid and 2.35 ± 0.01 eV in solution) and cyclic voltammetry (2.10 ± 0.05 eV). The results are supported by DFT calculations confirming the presence of lowest LUMO levels that facilitate the electron injection and stabilize the electron transport. Their charge-transport parameters were measured in Organic Field-Effect Transistor (OFET) devices. BPhTCs showed an ambipolar transistor behavior with good n-type charge mobilities (10-2 cm2V-1s-1) allowing these derivatives to be employed as promising semiconducting crystalline and fluorescent materials with good thermal and air stability up to 250 °C.

Facile Synthesis of Asymmetric aza-Boron Dipyrromethene Analogues Bearing Quinoxaline Moiety

An asymmetric aza-BODIPY analogue bearing quinoxaline moiety was synthesized via a titanium tetrachloride-mediated Schiff-base-forming reaction of 6,7-dimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine. This novel aza-BODIPY analogue forms a complementary hydrogen-bonded dimer due to the quinoxaline moiety in the crystal structure. It also shows intense absorption and fluorescence, with fluorescence quantum yields close to unity. The electrochemical measurements and the DFT calculations revealed the presence of the low-lying HOMO, which benefits their potential applications as an electron-transporting material.

Tracking the Intramolecular Charge Transfer Process of 2,6-Substituted D-A BODIPY Derivatives

Three 2,6-electron donor-substituted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) exhibiting an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character with large Stokes shift and moderate fluorescence quantum yields were designed and synthesized. Broadband femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopy measurements were performed to directly detect the CT state in nonpolar or less polar solvents and the charge separation (CS) state in more polar solvents. A solid foundation for the fs-TA assignment can be found in electrolysis experiments. In addition, the ICT character of the newly designed compounds was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Meanwhile, the reference compounds without the donor groups were synthesized, and their photophysical behaviors and ultrafast time-resolved spectra confirmed that no ICT process occurred regardless of the nature of the solvent. This work emphasizes the importance of decorating the BODIPY core with electron-donating substituents at 2,6-positions to efficiently adjust its photofunctional behaviors demonstrating the ICT character. Importantly, the photophysical processes could be easily regulated by changing the solvent with different polarities.

AlCl3-catalyzed chemoselective cascade reactions of 4-anilinocoumarins with 2-furylcarbinols: access to densely functionalized chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrol-4(1H)-one derivatives

An unprecedented protocol has been developed for the preparation of highly functionalized chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrol-4(1H)-ones, which are not only valuable architectures of many biologically active molecules but also key building blocks for rich photophysical properties. The transformation proceeded through chemoselective intermolecular α-carbon nucleophilic attacking/ring-opening/Michael addition/deprotonation aromatization processes from 4-aminocoumarins and 2-furylcarbinols.

Base-Promoted Reaction of 4-Chloro-3-vinyl Coumarins, Phenacylpyridinium Bromides, and Elemental Sulfur: A Designed Approach to Thiopyrano[4,3-c]chromen-5(1H)-ones

A designed synthesis of thiopyrano[4,3-c]chromen-5(1H)-ones was developed based on a base-promoted three-component reaction between 4-chloro-3-vinyl coumarins, phenacylpyridinium bromides, and elemental sulfur. Readily available starting materials, mild conditions, chemoselectivity, operational simplicity, and synthetically useful yields are some highlighted advantages of these transformations.

An Environmentally Benign Multicomponent Cascade Reaction of 3-Formylchromones, 2-Naphthols, and Heterocyclic Ketal Aminals: Site-Selective Synthesis of Functionalized Morphan Derivatives

A novel protocol has been developed for the preparation of highly functionalized 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (morphan) derivatives by the interesting three-component cascade reaction of 3-formylchromones, 2-naphthol, and heterocyclic ketal aminals (HKAs) in the ionic liquid [BMIM]PF₆ promoted by the organic base Et₃N. A complex cascade reaction is required, which includes a 1,2-addition, two Michael reactions, two tautomerizations, and an N-alkylation accompanied by a ring-opening reaction and involving the cleavage of one C-O bond and the formation of four bonds (one C-N bond, one C-O bond, and two C-C bonds). As a result, functionalized morphans (5 and 6) bearing naphthalene-structured skeletons were prepared by simple heating of a mixture of 3-formylchromones, 2-naphthols, and HKAs in the environmentally friendly ionic liquid [BMIM]PF₆. This protocol can be used in the synthesis of various morphans and is suitable for combinatorial and parallel syntheses of natural-like morphan derivatives. This approach has several advantages such as the use of an environmentally friendly solvent, simple and practical operation (multicomponent one-pot reaction), and satisfactory yields (65-88%).

Chemoselective and one-pot synthesis of novel coumarin-based cyclopenta[c]pyrans via base-mediated reaction of α,β-unsaturated coumarins and β-ketodinitriles

In this paper, the base-mediated cascade reactions of 4-chloro-3-vinyl coumarins with β-ketodinitriles were demonstrated, allowing the efficient synthesis of coumarin-based cyclopenta[c]pyran-7-carbonitriles with interesting chemoselectivity. These transformations include the domino-style formation of C-C/C-C/C-O bonds through a base-mediated nucleophilic substitution, Michael addition, tautomerization, O-cyclization, elimination, and aromatization. The presented synthetic strategy has many advantages such as simple and readily available starting materials, green solvent, highly chemoselective route, synthetically useful yields, and easy purification of products by washing them with EtOH (96%), described as GAP (Group-Assistant-Purification) chemistry.

Coronene-embedded 'super' coumarins

A non-planar π-enlarged coronene-embedded coumarin achieved via pyranone annulation and its cyanated derivative possess bright orange to red emission in both solution and solid states, with scope for bioimaging applications. The multiple redox states, frontier molecular orbital energy levels and strong cofacial π-stacking ability point towards applications in organic optoelectronics.

Novel Coumarin-Thiadiazole Hybrids and Their Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes as Potential Antimicrobial Agents and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

A series of coumarin-thiadiazole hybrids and their corresponding Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized with the use of spectroscopic techniques. The results obtained indicate that all the coumarin-thiadiazole hybrids act as bidentate chelators of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions. The complexes isolated differ in their ligand:metal ratio depending on the central metal. In most cases, the Zn(II) complexes are characteristic of a 1:1 ligand:metal ratio, while in the Cu(II) complexes the ligand:metal ratio is 2:1. All compounds were tested as potential antibacterial agents against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains demonstrating activities notably lower than commercially available antibiotics. The more promising results were obtained from the assessment of antineurodegenerative potency as all compounds showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity.

"CinNapht" dyes: a new cinnoline/naphthalimide fused hybrid fluorophore. Synthesis, photo-physical study and use for bio-imaging

Six-membered-diaza ring of cinnoline has been fused on naphthalimide dye to give a donor-acceptor system called CinNapht. This red shifted fluorophore, that can be synthesised in gram scale, exhibits a large Stoke shift and a fluorescence quantum yield up to 0.33. It is also characterized by a strong solvatochromic effect from green to red emission as well and can be used for bio-imaging.

Multicomponent Cascade Reaction of 3-Formylchromones: Highly Selective Synthesis of Functionalized 9-Azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Derivatives

A novel protocol for the preparation of functionalized 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (ABCN) derivatives from 3-formylchromones, enaminones, and heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKAs) through an unprecedented cascade reaction has been developed by simply refluxing the mixture of the substrates 1-3. As a result, a series of ABCNs were produced through a very complex cascade reaction. This protocol can be used in the synthesis of ABCNs that are suitable for combinatorial and parallel syntheses of ABCN natural-like products in a one-pot reaction.

Multi-component cascade reaction of 3-formylchromones: highly selective synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-[4,5'-bipyrimidin]-6(1H)-one derivatives

A novel protocol for the construction of highly functionalized bipyrimidine derivatives 4 and 5 from 3-formyl-chromones, ethyl 2-(pyridine-2-yl)acetate derivatives, and amidine hydrochlorides via an interesting and considerably complex multi-component cascade reaction was developed. The cascade reaction was manifested by refluxing a mixture of the three substrates in acetonitrile or DMF along with Cs2CO3. A series of 4,5-dihydro-[4,5'-bipyrimidin]-6(1H)-ones (DBPMOs) 4 was constructed regioselectively in suitable to excellent yields. Moreover, intermediates 4 then underwent a novel, metal- and oxidant-free cascade reaction to produce a series of [4,5'-bipyrimidin]-6(1H)-ones (BPMOs) 5. The formation of the bipyrimidine derivatives 4-5 was enabled by the formation of five bonds and the cleavage of one bond in one pot. This protocol can be used in the synthesis of functionalized bipyrimidine derivatives via a multi-component one-pot cascade reaction rather than multi-step reactions, which is suitable for both combinatorial and parallel syntheses of bipyrimidine derivatives.

Aromatic [b]-fused BODIPY dyes as promising near-infrared dyes

Far-red and near-infrared (NIR) absorbing/emitting dyes have found diverse applications in biomedicine and material science. However, the absorption and emission of classical BODIPY chromophores at short wavelength hamper their applications. Several strategies have been adopted to modify the structure of the BODIPY core to design NIR dyes. Among these, the most efficient approach to expand the π-conjugation of the BODIPY core is via fusion of aromatic rings. So far, many novel BODIPY skeletons fused to aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocycles at the b bond have been reported. This review comprehensively describes the recent advances regarding the development of aromatic [b]-fused BODIPY dyes with the focus on the design and synthesis, the relationships between their photophysical/spectroscopic properties and molecular structures, and the potential applications in bioassays and optoelectronic devices.

Human Serum Albumin Labelling with a New BODIPY Dye Having a Large Stokes Shift

BODIPY dyes are photostable neutral derivatives of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene. These are widely used as chemosensors, laser materials, and molecular probes. At the same time, BODIPY dyes have small or moderate Stokes shifts like most other fluorophores. Large Stokes shifts are preferred for fluorophores because of higher sensitivity of such probes and sensors. The new boron containing BODIPY dye was designed and synthesized. We succeeded to perform an annulation of pyrrole ring with coumarin heterocyclic system and achieved a remarkable difference in absorption and emission maximum of obtained fluorophore up to 100 nm. This BODIPY dye was equipped with linker arm and was functionalized with a maleimide residue specifically reactive towards thiol groups of proteins. BODIPY residue equipped with a suitable targeting protein core can be used as a suitable imaging probe and agent for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). As the most abundant protein with a variety of physiological functions, human serum albumin (HSA) has been used extensively for the delivery and improvement of therapeutic molecules. Thiolactone chemistry provides a powerful tool to prepare albumin-based multimodal constructions. The released sulfhydryl groups of the homocysteine functional handle in thiolactone modified HSA were labeled with BODIPY dye to prepare a labeled albumin-BODIPY dye conjugate confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS, UV-vis, and fluorescent emission spectra. Cytotoxicity of the resulting conjugate was investigated. This study is the basis for a novel BODIPY dye-albumin theranostic for BNCT. The results provide further impetus to develop derivatives of HSA for delivery of boron to cancer cells.

White light employing luminescent engineered large (mega) Stokes shift molecules: a review

Large (mega) Stokes shift molecules have shown great potential in white light emission for optoelectronic applications, such as flat panel display technology, light-emitting diodes, photosensitizers, molecular probes, cellular and bioimaging, and other applications. This review aims to summarize recent developments of white light generation that incorporate a large Stokes shift component, key approaches to designing large Stokes shift molecules, perspectives on future opportunities, and remaining challenges confronting this emerging research field. After a brief introduction of feasible pathways in generating white light, exemplifications of large Stokes shift molecules as white light candidates from organic and inorganic-based materials are illustrated. Various possible ways to design such molecules have been revealed by integrating the photophysical mechanisms that are essential to produce red-shifted emission upon photoexcitation, such as excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), excited state geometrical relaxation or structural deformation, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) alongside the different formations of aggregates, interplay between monomer and excimer emission, host-guest interaction, and lastly metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) via harvesting triplet state. Furthermore, previously reported fluorescent materials are described and categorized based on luminescence behaviors on account of the Stokes shifts value. This review will serve as a rationalized introduction and reference for researchers who are interested in exploring large or mega Stokes shift molecules, and will motivate new strategies along with instigation of persistent efforts in this prominent subject area with great avenues.

Diverse synthesis of pyrrolo/indolo[3,2-c]coumarins as isolamellarin-A scaffolds: a brief update

This review presents a different synthetic approach of pyrrolo/indolo[3,2-c]coumarins via classical reactions including metal-catalyzed and green reaction protocols.

Rhodium-catalyzed annulation of pyrrole substituted BODIPYs with alkynes to access π-extended polycyclic heteroaromatic molecules and NIR absorption

A series of π-extended BODIPY derivatives fused with an indolizine scaffold were prepared smoothly via rhodium-catalyzed C–H functionalization/annulation. These fluorophores show significantly red-shifted absorption, reaching to the near infrared (NIR) region.

4-Chloro-3-formylcoumarin as a multifaceted building block for the development of various bio-active substituted and fused coumarin heterocycles: a brief review

This review presents the diverse synthesis of 3,4-substituted coumarins and 5-, 6- and 7-membered ring fused coumarins using 4-chloro-3-formylcoumarin as the precursor via classical reactions including metal-catalyzed and green reaction protocols.

Rigid π-Extended Boron Difluoride Complex with Mega-Stokes Shift for Bioimaging

The rational design of a rigid π-extended ligand, suitable for the formation of four-coordinate boron complexes, has led to the synthesis of the fused hexacyclic structure of carbazolo[2,1-c]phenanthridine. The photophysical characterization of the novel fluorophore revealed a significant Stokes shift whose intramolecular charge transfer origin has been corroborated by computational calculations. The usefulness of the reported N,N-difluoroboryl complex as fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift has been demonstrated for cancer cells imaging.

Red fluorescent pyrazoline-BODIPY nanoparticles for ultrafast and long-term bioimaging

Fluorescence bioimaging is very significant in studying biological processes. Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) manufactured from aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials, as promising candidates, have attracted more attention. However, it is still a challenge to explore suitable AIE NPs for bioimaging. Herein, we synthesized pyrazoline-BODIPY (PZL-BDP) with a donor and acceptor (D-A) structure by a condensation reaction, cultured its single crystal, and studied its twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and AIE effects. PZL-BDP could self-assemble to form red fluorescent nanoparticles (PZL-BDP NPs) which showed a good fluorescence quantum yield of 15.8% in water. PZL-BDP NPs with excellent stability and biocompatibility exhibited a large Stokes shift (Δλ = 111 nm) which resulted in the reduction of external interference and enhancement of the fluorescence contrast. Furthermore, these nanoparticles could be readily internalized by HeLa cells and they stain the cells in just five seconds, indicating an ultrafast bioimaging protocol. Moreover, long-term tracking fluorescence signals in vivo for about 12 days were obtained. The bright red fluorescence, ultrafast cell staining ability, and long-term in vivo tracking competence outline the great potential of rational design nanomaterials with AIE characteristics for monitoring biological processes.

Cyclocondensation of coumarin-3-thioformates with 3-hydroxyoxindoles and 3-aminooxindoles for the synthesis of spiro-fused pentaheterocyclic compounds

A range of spiro-fused pentaheterocyclic compounds including spiro-butyrolactoneoxindole[3,4-c]coumarins and spiro-butyrolactamoxindole[3,4-c]coumarins were smoothly obtained via tandem Michael addition-lactonization/lactamization process.

Domino synthesis of fully substituted pyridines by silver-catalyzed chemoselective hetero-dimerization of isocyanides

A silver-catalyzed hetero-dimerization of various vinyl isocyanides with isocyanoacetamides has been developed for the efficient and practical synthesis of fully substituted pyridines in a single operation.

A red-emitting fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for real-time tracking of cysteine over glutathione and homocysteine in living cells

Fluorescent probes with high quality for highly selective detection of cysteine (Cys) are still urgently in demand because of the indispensable roles Cys plays in the biological systems. Herein, a red-emitting fluorescent probe CP was developed for the highly selective detection of Cys over glutathione (GSH) and homocysteine (Hcy) by incorporating acryloyl group as the recognition unit into the 2-(2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene) malononitrile (P-OH) fluorophore which is characterized by red emission, noteworthy Stokes shift, and appreciable photostability. Basically, CP demonstrated appreciable sensing performance toward Cys including short response time of 4 min, high sensitivity with approximately 147-fold emission enhancement, low detection limit of 41.696 nM, and good selectivity both in the solution and living cells, indicating its promising potential of visualizing Cys in biological systems.