BODIPY platform: a tunable tool for green to NIR OLEDs

Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Threaded BODIPYs

We report on the synthesis of two new threaded BODIPYs 5 and 6 in good yields using boron as a gathering atom and a macrocycle with a 2,2'-biphenol unit. In addition to usual techniques, they were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Their electrochemical and optical properties were investigated. In particular, both compounds are highly emissive with photoluminescence quantum yields of 54 and 81 % respectively. In addition, they both show a high photostability.

Interplay between Theory and Photophysical Characterization in Symmetric α-Substituted Thienyl BODIPY Molecule

4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY)-based molecules have emerged as interesting materials for optoelectronic applications due to the possibility to easily fine-tune their photophysical and optical properties, dominated by two main absorption bands in the visible range. However, no studies have been reported on the nature of these spectral features. By means of ultrafast spectroscopy, we detect intramolecular energy transfer in a spin-coated film of di-thieno-phenyl BODIPY (DTPBDP) dispersed in a polystyrene matrix after pumping the high-energy absorption band. The same effect is not present upon pumping the lowest-energy band, which instead allows the achievement of efficient amplified spontaneous emission. Density functional calculations indicate the different nature of the two main absorption bands, explaining their different photophysical behavior.

Structural Optimization of BODIPY Derivatives: Achieving Stable and Long-Lived Green Emission in Hyperfluorescent OLEDs

Boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives are widely studied as terminal emitters in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) due to their narrow emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). However, the strategy for precisely tuning their emission toward a high color purity is still challenging. Herein, we developed a new design strategy to regulate the emission of BODIPY derivatives by modifying the electronic and steric dominance using functionalities, such as nitrile, pentafluorophenyl, diethyl, and monobenzyl. These rational modifications yielded a series of four novel green BODIPY emitters, namely, tPN-BODIPY, tPPP-BODIPY, tPBn-BODIPY, and tPEN-BODIPY, each benefited with a tuned emissions range of 517 to 542 nm with a narrow fwhm of 25 nm and high photoluminescence quantum yield up to 96%. Among these synthesized BODIPYs, an unsymmetrical tPBn-BODIPY was chosen as a final dopant (FD) to explore its application in OLED devices. The fabricated TADF sensitized fluorescence-OLED (TSF-OLED) exhibits a narrow band pure green emission at 531 nm with corresponding CIE coordinates of (x, y) = (0.27, 0.68) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20%. Furthermore, the TSF-OLED displayed an exceptionally prolonged device operational lifetime (LT90) of 210 h at an initial luminescence of 3000 cd m-2.

Carbonylation as a Key Step in New Tandem Reactions - A Route to BODIPYs

Herein, a highly efficient five-step reaction sequence to BODIPYs is presented. The key step is the combination of transition metal-catalyzed in-situ generation of aldehydes and their subsequent organocatalytic activation to yield dipyrromethanes, which are further converted to the corresponding BODIPY. Classic syntheses towards BODIPYs have relied on aldehydes or acid chlorides, which are often not commercially available and rather sensitive to handle. The presented approach starts from readily available and stable alkenes or aryl-bromides, which allows to extend the range of readily available BODIPYs that can be tailored for their specific use. The synthesis of 55 derivatives with overall yields of up to 78 % demonstrates the wide applicability and advantages of the presented method.

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.

Interaction of Ions in Organic and Aqueous Media with an Ion-Pair Sensor Equipped with a BODIPY Reporter: An ON1-OFF-ON2-ON3 Fluorescent Assay

Here, we present a ditopic ion-pair sensor, B1, containing the BODIPY reporter unit in its structure, which is shown to be able-thanks to the presence of two heterogeneous binding domains-to interact with anions in an enhanced manner in the presence of cations. This enables it to interact with salts even in 99% aqueous solutions, making B1 a good candidate in terms of visual salt detection in the aquatic environment. Receptor B1's ability to extract and release salt was applied in the transport of potassium chloride through a bulk liquid membrane. Working with a concentration of B1 in the organic phase and with the presence of a specific salt in an aqueous solution, an inverted transport experiment was also demonstrated. By varying the type and the amount of the anions added to B1, we were able to develop diverse optical responses, including a unique four-step ON1-OFF-ON2-ON3 output.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and chiroptical properties of planarly and axially chiral boranils

2-Amino[2.2]paracyclophane reacts with salicylaldehyde or 2-hydroxyacetophenone to yield imines that then give access to a new series of boranils (8b-d) upon complexation with BF₂ . These novel boron-containing compounds display both planar and axial chiralities and were examined experimentally and computationally. In particular, their photophysical and chiroptical properties were studied and compared to newly prepared, simpler boranils (9a-d) exhibiting axial chirality only. Less sophisticated chiral architectures were shown to demonstrate overall stronger circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity.

Solvent-Dependent Fluorescence Properties of CH2-bis(BODIPY)s

Biocompatible luminophores based on organic dyes, which have fluorescence characteristics that are highly sensitive to the properties of the solvating medium, are of particular interest as highly sensitive, selective, and easy-to-use analytical agents. We found that BODIPY dimers (2,2'-, 2,3'-3,3'-CH₂-bis(BODIPY) (1-3)) demonstrate fluorescence characteristics with a high sensitivity to the presence of polar solvents. The intense fluorescence of 1-3 in nonpolar/low-polarity solvents is dramatically quenched in polar media (acetone, DMF, and DMSO). It has been established that the main reason for CH₂-bis(BODIPY) fluorescence quenching is the specific solvation of dyes by electron-donating molecules (Solv) with the formation of stable supramolecular CH₂-bis(BODIPY)·2Solv structures. Using steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational modeling, the formation mechanism, composition, and structure of CH₂-bis(BODIPY)·2Solv supramolecular complexes have been substantiated, and their stability has been evaluated. The results show the promise of developing fluorescent probes based on CH₂-bis(BODIPY)s for detecting toxic N/O-containing compounds in solutions.

Spanning BODIPY fluorescence with self-assembled micellar clusters

BODIPY dyes possess favorable optical properties for a variety of applications including in vivo and in vitro diagnostics. However, their utilization might be limited by their water insolubility and incompatibility with chemical modifications, resulting in low aggregation stability. Here, we outline the route for addressing this issue. We have demonstrated two approaches, based on dye entrapment in micellar coordination clusters (MCCs); this provides a general solution for water solubility as well as aggregation stability of the seven BODIPY derivatives. These derivatives have various bulky aromatic substituents in the 2,3,5,6- and meso-positions and can rotate relative to a dipyrrin core, which also provides molecular rotor properties. The molecular structural features and the presence of aromatic groups allows BODIPY dyes to be used as "supporting molecules", thus promoting micelle-micelle interaction and micellar network stabilization. In the second approach, self-micellization, following BODIPY use, leads to MCC formation without the use of any mediators, including chelators and/or metal ions. In both approaches, BODIPY exhibits an excellent optical response, at a concentration beyond its solubilization limit in aqueous media and without undesired crystallization. The suggested approaches represent systems used to encapsulate BODIPY in a capsule-based surfactant environment, enabling one to track the aggregation of BODIPY; these approaches represent an alternative system to study and apply BODIPY's molecular rotor properties. The stabilized compounds, i.e., the BODIPY-loaded MCCs, provide a unique feature of permeability to hydrophilic ligand-switching proteins such as BSA; they exhibit a bright "turn-on" fluorescence signal within the clusters via macromolecular complexation, thus expanding the possibilities of water-soluble BODIPY-loaded MCCs utilization for functional indicators.

Asymmetric AZA-BODIPY with Optical Gain in the Near-Infrared Region

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in the development of organic compounds emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) region due to their stimulating applications, such as biosensing and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Moreover, a lot of effort has been devoted to finding organic emitters with optical gain in the NIR region for lasing applications. In this paper, we present the ultrafast spectroscopy of an asymmetric AZA-BODIPY molecule that shows relevant photophysical changes moving from a diluted solution to a concentrated solution and to a spin-coated film. The diluted solution and the spin-coated film show a bleaching band and a stimulated emission band in the visible region, while the very concentrated solution displays a broad (150 nm) and long-living (more than 400 ps) optical gain band in the NIR region, centered at 900 nm. Our results pave the way for a new organic laser system in a near-infrared spectral region.

Green‐Light Activatable BODIPY and Coumarin 5’‐Caps for Oligonucleotide Photocaging

We synthesized two green‐light activatable 5’‐caps for oligonucleotides based on the BODIPY and coumarin scaffold. Both bear an alkyne functionality allowing their use in numerous biological applications. They were successfully incorporated in oligonucleotides via solid‐phase synthesis. Copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) using a bisazide photo‐tether gave cyclic oligonucleotides that could be relinearized by activation with green light and were shown to exhibit high stability against exonucleases. Chemical ligation as another example for bioconjugation yielded oligonucleotides with an internal strand break site. Irradiation at 530 nm or 565 nm resulted in complete photolysis of both caging groups.

Halogenated BODIPY photosensitizers: Photophysical processes for generation of excited triplet state, excited singlet state and singlet oxygen

We have systematically examined the formation of singlet oxygen O₂(¹Δ_g), the excited triplet state (T₁), and excited singlet state (S₁) for halogenated BODIPY photosensitizers (halogen = Cl, Br, and I) in eight solvents to understand how halogen atoms and solvent affect these properties. The phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of singlet oxygen generated by these halogenated BODIPYs have been measured by steady state/time resolved NIR emission, while the formation quantum yield of singlet oxygen (Φ_Δ) has been determined by chemical method using diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as the trapping agent. The formation quantum yield Φ_Δ of singlet oxygen can be as high as 0.96 for iodinated BODIPY and 0.71 for brominated BODIPY. The triplet state T₁ absorption spectra of brominated and iodinated BODIPYs have been recorded by laser flash photolysis method, in which T₁ shows high formation efficiency and long lifetime. The formation and decay of excited singlet state S₁ of four BODIPYs have been measured by ground state (S₀) absorption and steady state/time resolved fluorescence. The results show that larger halogen atoms on BODIPY core lead to smaller fluorescence quantum yield, shorter fluorescence lifetime and higher singlet oxygen formation quantum yield due to heavy atom effect that promotes the formation of triplet state. On the other hand, higher solvent polarity causes lower singlet oxygen formation quantum yield, smaller fluorescence quantum yield, and shorter fluorescence lifetime. This solvent effect is explained by the presence of photoinduced charge transfer (ICT) process from halogen atoms to BODIPY. The ICT efficiency has been estimated and the results are agreed with ICT theory. ICT process in halogenated BODIPYs has never been revealed in literature. HOMO/LUMO obtained from DFT calculation also supports the presence of ICT. The involvement of ICT in the photosensitizing process of halogenated BODIPYs provides new insights for designing BODIPY photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumor.

A BODIPY-Based Probe Enables Fluorogenicity via Thiol-Dependent Modulation of Fluorophore Aggregation

Given the popular usage of BODIPY fluorophores in biological research, their propensity to aggregate in aqueous solution and impact their spectroscopic properties arguably warrants more attention. The probe under study herein serves as a case in point. A para-maleimide-substituted meso-phenyl BODIPY (p-MB) had previously been characterized in organic media, where its inherently high fluorescence ruled out its fluorogenic potential. Here, we have found that in aqueous solution, p-MB behaves differently, exhibiting a much-reduced fluorescence as a result of aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). Additionally, p-MB is capable of responding to complementarily reactive substrates, including thiols and TCEP, to generate a substantial turn-on signal. The fluorescence restoration is largest when it reacts with those containing adjacent ionizable groups. By being part of a polar conjugate, p-MB assumes a disaggregated form, circumventing ACQ and unleashing up to ~1000-fold fluorescence enhancement through apparent disaggregation-induced emission (DIE). While our results support DIE as the turn-on mechanism, we found that the reactivity of the probe is much lower when it is given time to form stable aggregates. Therefore, contrary to the conventional depiction that a DIE probe works by dispersing from preformed aggregates to react with the target, our results suggest that it functions via a target-mediated inhibition of probe aggregation. Altogether, our work highlights the aggregation issue often faced by BODIPY-based probes and demonstrates how that can be exploited for turn-on sensing application. Furthermore, it reconstructs a different pathway for the DIE mechanism.

Accurate predictions of the electronic excited states of BODIPY based dye sensitizers using spin-component-scaled double-hybrid functionals: a TD-DFT benchmark study

The vertical excitation energies of 13 BODIPY based dye sensitizers are benchmarked by means of TD-DFT, using 36 functionals from different DFT rungs. Most TD-DFT results were found to overestimate the excitation energies, and show mean absolute error (MAE) values in the range 0.2–0.5 eV. The dispersion-corrected, spin-component-scaled, double-hybrid (DSD) functionals DSD-BLYP and DSD-PBEP86 were found to have the smallest MAE values of 0.083 eV and 0.106 eV, respectively, which is close to the range of average errors found in the more expensive coupled-cluster methods. Moreover, DSD-BLYP and DSD-PBEP86 functionals show excellent consistency and quality of results (standard deviation = 0.048 eV and 0.069 eV respectively). However, the range separated hybrid (RSH) and the range separated double hybrid (RSDH) functionals were found to provide the best predictability (linear determination coefficient R² > 0.97 eV).

The excitation energies of 13 BODIPY dye sensitizers are benchmarked by means of TD-DFT, using 36 functionals. Spin-component-scaled double-hybrid (DSD) functionals are found to show the best performance.

Rational Design and Synthesis of Large Stokes Shift 2,6-Sulphur-Disubstituted BODIPYs for Cell Imaging

Five new disubstituted 2,6-thioaryl-BODIPY dyes were synthesized via selective aromatic electrophilic substitution from commercially available thiophenols. The analysis of the photophysical properties via absorption and emission spectroscopy showed unusually large Stokes shifts for BODIPY fluorophores (70–100 nm), which makes them suitable probes for bioimaging. Selected compounds were evaluated for labelling primary immune cells as well as different cancer cell lines using confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Applications of triarylborane materials in cell imaging and sensing of bio-relevant molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins

Triarylboranes have been known for more than 100 years and have found potential applications in various fields such as anion sensors and optoelectronics, for example in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), field effect transistors (OFETs), and organic photovoltaic devices. However, biological applications, such as bioimaging agents and biomolecule sensors have evolved much more recently. This review summarises progress in this relatively young field and highlights the potential of triarylboranes in biological applications.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of 1,7-aroyl BODIPYs: an experimental and theoretical study

The introduction of electron donating groups or electron withdrawing groups into the phenyl ring at the meso position of 1,7-aroyl BODIPY significantly influences the fluorescence quantum yield.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of novel oxadiazole substituted BODIPY fluorophores

Using 3-phenyl-5-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole, BODIPYs with the oxadiazole groups at the 1,7-positions were prepared and their photophysical properties were characterized.

Organoboron molecules and polymers for organic solar cell applications

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are emerging as a new photovoltaic technology with the great advantages of low cost, light-weight, flexibility and semi-transparency. They are promising for portable energy-conversion products and building-integrated photovoltaics. Organoboron chemistry offers an important toolbox to design novel organic/polymer optoelectronic materials and to tune their optoelectronic properties for OSC applications. At present, organoboron small molecules and polymers have become an important class of organic photovoltaic materials. Power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 16% and 14% have been realized with organoboron polymer electron donors and electron acceptors, respectively. In this review, we summarize the research progress in various kinds of organoboron photovoltaic materials for OSC applications, including organoboron small molecular electron donors, organoboron small molecular electron acceptors, organoboron polymer electron donors and organoboron polymer electron acceptors. This review also discusses how to tune their opto-electronic properties and active layer morphology for enhancing OSC device performance. We also offer our insight into the opportunities and challenges in improving the OSC device performance of organoboron photovoltaic materials.

Joint Venture of Metal Cluster and Amphiphilic Cationic Minidendron Resulting in Near Infrared Emissive Lamellar Ionic Liquid Crystals

Inorganic red‐NIR emissive materials are particularly relevant in many fields like optoelectronic, bioimaging or solar cells. Benefiting from their emission in devices implies their integration in easy‐to‐handle materials like liquid crystals, whose long‐range ordering and self‐healing abilities could be exploited and influence emission. Herein, we present red‐NIR emissive hybrid materials obtained with phosphorescent octahedral molybdenum cluster anions electrostatically associated with amphiphilic guanidinium minidendrons. Polarized optical microscopy and X‐ray analysis show that while the minidendron chloride salts self‐organize into columnar phases, their association with the dianionic metal cluster leads to layered phases. Steady‐state and time‐resolved emission investigations demonstrate the influence of the minidendron alkyl chain length on the phosphorescence of the metal cluster core.

Rational Design of Broadly Absorbing Boron Dipyrromethene-Carbazole Dyads for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A DFT Study

Structure engineering of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) organic dye, to increase its light-harvesting efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells, has been the subject of rigorous research recently. Herein, we report on the rational designing of BODIPY-carbazole (D-π-A-A) dyads using density functional theory (DFT). The structure of BODIPY-carbazole was first modified by substituting an electron-donating -N(CH3)2 group at the electron-rich carbazole moiety, and two electron-accepting -COOH groups at the BODIPY core. The DFT calculations showed a significant lowering of the band gap from 2.9 eV (pristine BODIPY-carbazole dyad) to 1.87 eV (modified BODIPY-carbazole dyad). Further modification was demonstrated by the incorporation of heterocyclic rings such as thiophene (denoted as D1T), furan (D1F), and phosphole (D1P) into BODIPY-carbazole moiety, which red-shifted the light absorption spectra and consequently improved the light-harvesting efficiency of the dyes. The interactions at the dye/semiconductor interface were studied by employing their bridged-bidentate adsorption models over the titanium dioxide (TiO2)38 nanocluster. Results suggested that the electrons can be efficiently injected from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of dyes into the conduction band of TiO2. Among the three dyads, D1P exhibited superior photovoltaic performance with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 13.50%, a short-circuit current density (J sc) of 27.2 mA·cm-2, and an open-circuit voltage (V oc) of 731 mV. The structurally configured new D1P dye can be used as a potential alternative photosensitizer for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells.

A New BODIPY Material for Pure Color and Long Lifetime Red Hyperfluorescence Organic Light-Emitting Diode

A red fluorescent material, 1,3,7,9-tetrakis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-5,5-difluoro-10-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5H-4l4,5l4-dipyrrolo[1,2-c:2',1'-f][1,3,2]diazaborinine (4tBuMB), as an emitting dopant in a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) sensitized hyperfluorescence organic light-emitting diode (HFOLED) is reported. The 4tBuMB shows a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 99% with an emission maximum at 620 nm and a full width at half-maximum (fwhm) of 31 nm in solution. Further, it shows a deep lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of 3.83 eV. Thus, two TADF materials, 4CzIPN and 4CzTPN, as sensitizing hosts, are selected on the basis of a suitable LUMO level and spectrum overlap with 4tBuMB. The fabricated HFOLED device with 4CzTPN as a sensitizing host and 4tBuMB as an emitting dopant shows a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE), an emission maximum, an fwhm, and CIE coordinates of 19.4%, 617 nm, 44 nm, and (0.64, 0.36), respectively. The electroluminance performances of the 4CzTPN sensitized device are higher than those of the 4CzIPN-based device, which is attributed to a higher Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) rate and reduced intersystem crossing/reverse intersystem crossing (ISC/RISC) cycles of the former. Also, the 4CzTPN-based HF device shows a longer device lifetime (LT₉₀) of 954 h than the 4CzIPN-baed device (LT₉₀ of 57 h) at 3000 cd m^-2. The higher device stability is due to the higher bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of 4CzTPN and 4tBuMB than that of 4CzIPN.

The TDDFT Excitation Energies of the BODIPYs; The DFT and TDDFT Challenge Continues

The derivatives of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) are pivotal ingredients for a large number of functional, stimuli-responsive materials and therapeutic molecules based on their photophysical properties, and there is a urgent need to understand and predict their optical traits prior to investing a large amount of resources in preparing them. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) computations were performed to calculate the excitation energies of the lowest-energy singlet excited state of a large series of common BODIPY derivatives employing various functional aiming at the best possible combination providing the least deviations from the experimental values. Using the common "fudge" correction, a series of combinations was investigated, and a methodology is proposed offering equal or better performances than what is reported in the literature.

Theoretical predictions of the spectroscopic properties of BODIPY dyes: Effects of the fused aromatic and heteroaromatic rings at the b, g bonds

The fusion of aryl and heteroaryl moieties in the BODIPY skeleton is the important route to design BODIPYs exhibiting absorption and fluorescence in red or near infra-red regions. Despite the importance of this approach, little is known about the influence of aryl and heteroaryl rings on the position of the energy levels of the lower electronic states of such dyes. In this paper, the influence of benzene (B), thiophene (T) and furan (F) rings fused in the BODIPY core (b) at both b and g bonds on the optical properties of the symmetric BbB, TbT and FbF and asymmetric TbF, BbF and BbT dyes have been investigated by TD-CAM-B3LYP and RI-CC2 calculations. We have shown that in contrast to the locally excited (LE0-type) main vertical state, energy of which is nearly the same for all the substituents at the b and g bonds, energy of the next two states of the LE1- and LE2-type for the symmetric dyes or the charge transfer (CT1- and CT2-type) for the asymmetric dyes depends strongly on the nature of the rings at the b and g bonds. The benzene-fused dyes (BbF, BbT, BbB) have the lowest energy of the excited levels of the LE-type (or CT1-type) states, and inversion with LE0-type levels occurs. As a result, the dramatic decrease of the fluorescence quantum yield is expected in these cases. The identification of these effects provides a quality framework for understanding of how fused substituents regulate photophysical processes of BODIPYs.

BODIPY-Based Molecules, a Platform for Photonic and Solar Cells

The 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY)-based molecules have emerged as interesting material for optoelectronic applications. The facile structural modification of BODIPY core provides an opportunity to fine-tune its photophysical and optoelectronic properties thanks to the presence of eight reactive sites which allows for the developing of a large number of functionalized derivatives for various applications. This review will focus on BODIPY application as solid-state active material in solar cells and in photonic devices. It has been divided into two sections dedicated to the two different applications. This review provides a concise and precise description of the experimental results, their interpretation as well as the conclusions that can be drawn. The main current research outcomes are summarized to guide the readers towards the full exploitation of the use of this material in optoelectronic applications.

Carbon Dots as a Sustainable New Platform for Organic Light Emitting Diode

Over the past 10 years, carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from renewable raw materials have received considerable attention in several fields for their unique photoluminescent properties. Moreover, the synthesis of CDs fully responds to the principles of circular chemistry and the concept of safe-by-design. This review will focus on the different strategies for incorporation of CDs in organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) and on the study of the impact of CDs properties on OLED performance. The main current research outcomes and highlights are summarized to guide users towards full exploitation of these materials in optoelectronic applications.

Synthesis and Functions of Oligomeric and Multidentate Dipyrrin Derivatives and their Complexes

The dipyrrin–metal complexes and especially the boron complex 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) have recently attracted considerable attention because of their interesting properties and possible applications. We have developed two unique and useful ways to extend versatility and usefulness of the dipyrrin complexes. The first one is the linear and macrocyclic oligomerization of the BODIPY units. These arrangements of the B–F moieties of the oligomerized BODIPY units provide sophisticated functions, such as unique recognition ability toward cationic guest, associated with changes in the photophysical properties by utilizing unprecedented interactions between the B–F and a cationic species. The second one is introduction of additional ligating moieties into the dipyrrin skeleton. The multidentate N2Ox dipyrrin ligands thus obtained form a variety of complexes with 13 and 14 group elements, which are difficult to synthesize using the original N2 dipyrrin derivatives. Interestingly, these unique complexes exhibit novel structures, properties, and functions such as guest recognition, stimuli-responsive structural conversion, switching of the optical properties, excellent stability of the neutral radicals, etc. We believe that these multifunctional dipyrrin complexes will advance the basic chemistry of the dipyrrin complexes and develop their applications in the materials and medicinal chemistry fields.

1 Introduction

2 Linear Oligomers of Boron–Dipyrrin Complexes

3 Cyclic Oligomers of Boron–Dipyrrin Complexes

4 A Cyclic Oligomer of Zinc–Dipyrrin Complexes

5 Group 13 Element Complexes of N2Ox Dipyrrins

6 Chiral N2 and N2Ox Dipyrrin Complexes

7 Group 14 Element Complexes of N2O2 Dipyrrins

8 Other N2O2 Dipyrrin Complexes with Unique Properties and Functions

9 Conclusion

Annulative π-extension of BODIPYs made easy via gold(i)-catalyzed cycloisomerization

Here we report gold(i)-catalyzed cycloisomerization as a new powerful synthetic tool for the preparation of π-extended BODIPY derivatives. The catalytic system PPhF 3AuCl/AgSbF6 enables the synthesis of [b]-[2,1]naphtho-fused-BODIPYs (2a-2c) under mild conditions, in excellent yields and short reaction times. The reaction is totally regioselective to the 6-endo-dig product and for the α-position of the BODIPY, which is both the kinetically and thermodynamically favored pathway, as supported by the free energy profile calculated by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT). Moreover, this methodology also allows the synthesis of two new families of [b]-aryl-fused-BODIPYs, namely, [3,4]phenanthro- (2e and 2f) and [1,2]naphtho-fused (2g) BODIPYs. Their molecular and electronic structures were established by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. As can be noted from the X-ray structures, 2a, 2e and 2g present interesting structural differences at both the molecular and packing level. Interestingly, despite being isomers, the UV/vis spectra of 2a and 2g revealed significant differences in their electronic structures. The origin of this finding was studied by Time-Dependent DFT calculations. Calculated DFT Nuclear Independent Chemical Shift (NICS(0)) values also supported the different electronic structures of 2a and 2g.

Multichromophoric COO-BODIPYs: an advantageous design for the development of energy transfer and electron transfer systems

Synthesis and photonics avails a new design for multichromophoric arrays.