Emission of boron dipyrromethene dyes through energy transfer to their S2 state from polysilane S1 state

Irradiation of a mixture of a poly(methylphenyl)silane containing a Boron dipyrromethene dye was found to induce green color emission from the BODIPY dye via energy transfer from the polysilane S1 state to the S2 state of the BODIPY in the solid state, whereas in the solid the BODIPY dyes themselves are nonfluorescent due to aggregation and self-quenching.

► Polysilanes containing a BODIPY dye was found to induce a green color emission. ► Energy transfer was responsible for the emission. ► In the solid state alone the BODIPY dyes themselves are nonfluorescent.