Anionic, cationic and merocyanine polymethine dyes based on dipyrromethene core

Both symmetrical anionic polymethine dye which is derived from the boron difluoride form of the dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and the corresponding symmetrical cationic dye derived from the cationic form of the dipyrromethene have been obtained on the identical atomic framework. Their spectral properties and π-electronic structure suggest that these long-wavelength absorbing dyes are closely related. On the contrary, the non-symmetrical compounds belong to the different types of dyes, namely merocyanines in the case of boron dipyrromethene complexes, and non-symmetrical cationic dyes for salt-like compounds. Each of these types possesses a distinct complex of spectral properties.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The symmetrical anionic dye derived from BODIPY core was synthesized. ► Symmetrical cationic dye derived from the cationic form of dipyrromethene was obtained. ► Both dyes have absorption maxima around 800 nm.