Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Studies of Donor-Acceptor-Type Near-Infrared (NIR) Aza-Boron-Dipyrromethene (BODIPY) Dyes

Six donor-acceptor-type near-infrared (NIR) aza-boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes and their corresponding aza-dipyrrins were designed and synthesized. The donor moieties at the 1,7-positions of the aza-BODIPY core were varied from naphthyl to N-phenylcarbazole to N-butylcarbazole. The 3,5-positions were also substituted with phenyl or thienyl groups in the aza-BODIPYs. Photophysical, electrochemical, and computational studies were carried out. The absorption and emission spectra of aza-BODIPYs were significantly redshifted (≈100 nm) relative to the parent tetraphenylaza-BODIPY. Fluorescence studies suggested effective energy transfer (up to 93 %) from donor groups to the aza-BODIPY core in all of the compounds under study. Time-dependent (TD)-DFT studies indicated effective electronic interactions between energy donor groups and aza-dipyrrin unit in all the aza-BODIPYs studied. The HOMO-LUMO gap (ΔE) calculated from cyclic voltammetry data was found to be lower for six aza-BODIPYs relative to their corresponding aza-dipyrrins. Donations accepted: Donor-acceptor-type near-infrared aza-BODIPYs were designed and synthesized. The presence of donor groups at the 1,7-position of the aza-BODIPYs caused significant bathochromic shifts in their absorption and emission maxima. Efficient energy transfer from donor moieties to the aza-BODIPY core was observed in all compounds studied.