BODIPY photocatalyzed oxidation of thioanisole under visible light

4,4-Difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes are organic dyes which have excellent thermal and photochemical stability, high fluorescence quantum yield and good solubility. Four BODIPY dyes were made and used to investigate the oxidation of thioanisole under visible light. BODIPY dyes were shown to be highly active photocatalysts which are comparable to the metal complex, like Ru(bpy)32+. This work highlights the potential of using BODIPY as photocatalysts for a number of important organic transformations.

► BODIPY was synthesized using electrophilic carbonyl compound as bridging unit.
► BODIPY structure was confired by NMR, absorption and emission spectra.
► BODIPY was shown to be highly active photocatalyst for oxidation of thioanisole.