A distyryl BODIPY derivative as a fluorescent probe for selective detection of chromium(III)

A new boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) derivative (1a) bearing simple NO bidentate ligands has been synthesized. The 1a molecule behaves as a fluorescent probe for Cr3+ and shows strong red fluorescence upon coordination with Cr3+, while showing almost no fluorescence for other metal cations.