A boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorescence probe with a N,N′-(pyridine-2, 6-diylbis(methylene))-dianiline substituent (1) has been prepared by condensation of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde with 8-(4-amino)-4,4-difluoro-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene and reduction by NaBH4. The sensing properties of compound 1 toward various metal ions are investigated via fluorometric titration in methanol, which show highly selective fluorescent turn-on response in the presence of Hg2+ over the other metal ions, such as Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ag+, and Mn2+. Computational approach has been carried out to investigate the mechanism why compound 1 provides different fluorescent signal for Hg2+ and other ions. Theoretic calculations of the energy levels show that the quenching of the bright green fluorescence of boradiazaindacene fluorophore is due to the reductive photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the aniline subunit to the excited state of BODIPY fluorophore. In metal complexes, the frontier molecular orbital energy levels changes greatly. Binding Zn2+ or Cd2+ ion leads to significant decreasing of both the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the receptor, thus inhibit the reductive PET process, whereas an oxidative PET from the excited state fluorophore to the receptor occurs, vice versa, which also quenches the fluorescence. However, for 1-Hg2+ complex, both the reductive and oxidative PETs are prohibited; therefore, strong fluorescence emission from the fluorophore can be observed experimentally. The agreement of the experimental results and theoretic calculations suggests that our calculation method can be applicable as guidance for the design of new chemosensors for other metal ions.

A boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorescence probe with a N,N′-(pyridine-2, 6-diylbis(methylene))-dianiline substituent (1) has been prepared by condensation of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde with 8-(4-amino)-4,4-difluoro-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene and reduction by NaBH4. The sensing properties of compound 1 toward various metal ions are investigated via fluorometric titration in methanol, which show highly selective fluorescent turn-on response in the presence of Hg2+ over the other metal ions, such as Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ag+, and Mn2+. Computational approach has been carried out to investigate the mechanism why compound 1 provides different fluorescent signal for Hg2+ and other ions. Theoretic calculations of the energy levels show that the quenching of the bright green fluorescence of boradiazaindacene fluorophore is due to the reductive photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the aniline subunit to the excited state of BODIPY fluorophore. In metal complexes, the frontier molecular orbital energy levels changes greatly. Binding Zn2+ or Cd2+ ion leads to significant decreasing of both the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the receptor, thus inhibit the reductive PET process, whereas an oxidative PET from the excited state fluorophore to the receptor occurs, vice versa, which also quenches the fluorescence. However, for 1-Hg2+ complex, both the reductive and oxidative PETs are prohibited; therefore, strong fluorescence emission from the fluorophore can be observed experimentally. The agreement of the experimental results and theoretic calculations suggests that our calculation method can be applicable as guidance for the design of new chemosensors for other metal ions.

We have designed and synthesized a series of modular, dual-color dyes comprising a conventional boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) dye, as a yellow emitter, and a Bodipy dye possessing extended conjugation that functions as a red emitter. A flexible tether of variable length, built from ethylene glycol residues, connects the terminal dyes. A critical design element of this type of dyad relates to a secondary amine linkage interposed between the conventional Bodipy and the tether. Cyclic voltammetry shows both Bodipy dyes to be electroactive and indicates that the secondary amine is quite easily oxidized. The ensuing fluorescence quenching is best explained in terms of the rapid formation of an intermediate charge-transfer state. In fact, exciplex-type emission is observed in weakly polar solvents and over a critical temperature range. In the dual-color dyes, direct excitation of the yellow emitter results in the appearance of red fluorescence, indicating that the exciplex is likely involved in the energy-transfer event, and provides for a virtual Stokes shift of 5000 cm−1. Replacing the red emitter with a higher energy absorber (namely, pyrene) facilitates the collection of near-UV light and extends the virtual Stokes shift to 8000 cm−1. Modulation of the efficacy of intramolecular energy transfer is achieved by preorganization of the connector in the presence of certain cations. This latter behavior, which is fully reversible, corresponds to an artificial allosteric effect.

We investigate with a hybrid SOS-CIS(D)/TD-DFT approach accounting for solvation effects, the structural, electronic and optical properties of recently-proposed PODIPY dyes. Being more soluble in water than the well-known BODIPYs, these new chromogens are particularly appealing, but their characterization remains very limited. It turns out that the selected theoretical protocol could reproduce the experimentally reported differences between PODIPY and BODIPY dyes. Based on this, we have investigated a large number of new PODIPY dyes and determined their theoretical 0–0 energies.

We investigate with a hybrid SOS-CIS(D)/TD-DFT approach accounting for solvation effects, the structural, electronic and optical properties of recently-proposed PODIPY dyes. Being more soluble in water than the well-known BODIPYs, these new chromogens are particularly appealing, but their characterization remains very limited. It turns out that the selected theoretical protocol could reproduce the experimentally reported differences between PODIPY and BODIPY dyes. Based on this, we have investigated a large number of new PODIPY dyes and determined their theoretical 0–0 energies.