Synthesis and biological properties of selenium- and tellurium-containing dyes

•Selenium- and tellurium-based fluorescence probes were reported.•Structural features of the fluorescent probes were presented.•The role of the heavy selenium and tellurium atoms on the on/off fluorescence effect of the molecular probes were discussed.•Biological applications were presented.

This account covers the synthesis and biological applications of organoseleno- and organotelluro-based molecular dyes. The most relevant applications for photodynamic therapy (PDT), fluorescent probes for the detection of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), natural bioreductors like glutathione (GSH) and metals present in physiological systems will be discussed. This manuscript covers only dyes bearing small selenium- and tellurium-containing heterocycles.

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