Di- and oligomeric BODIPYs
Funding: DFG BR2010/9-1 (Normalverfahren)
α,α'-BisBODIPYs and related oligomers
BODIPYs are robust and relatively novel fluorophores, which have seen a brilliant career as functional dyes ever since their discovery in the 1970s. The popularity of the compounds, of which there are many commercial derivatives, arises primarily from the very favorable photophysical properties. Unlike many other phosphors, BODIPYs are readily modified by chemical means so that a broad spectrum of tailor-made dyes is currently being investigated for potential applications.
BisBODIPYs are new covalent dimers of BODIPYs and can be regarded as a prototypes of a new class of oligomeric dyes, the 'DYEmers'. Chemistry and photophysics are quite different from the BODIPYs, however, but these differences do not restrict the use and manipulation of the new chromophores. Instead, additional aspects are observed which provide the incentive for the further development of BODIPY-oligomers. We prepare these systems by taking advantage of modern coupling methods, and provide with functional linkers for their conjugation to nanoparticles, dyes, metal complexes, proteins, and semiconductor particles. Such photo-hybrid systems hold great potential as sensor materials and probes as well as in energy research.