Blackening of aza-BODIPY analogues by simple dimerization: panchromatic absorption of a pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY dimer

Dimerization of the so-called pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY, which is a new class of aza-BODIPY analogues exhibiting intense absorption and emission in the visible (Vis) and near infrared (NIR) region, via a bithienyl linkage led to the creation of a novel black dye with dual emission and panchromatic absorption properties in the Vis/NIR region. The role of the linkage in the dye was unambiguously elucidated by comparison of the optical properties with those of its biphenyl-linked counterpart.