New NIR-emitting complexes of platinum(II) and palladium(II) with fluorinated benzoporphyrins

New platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with fluorinated benzoporphyrins are prepared and characterized. The photo-physical and electrochemical properties, as well as quenching by oxygen are investigated. The complexes possess highly efficient room-temperature NIR phosphorescence and are excitable with blue- and red-light. The fluorinated derivatives show improved photo-physical properties and photo-stability. The new dyes are particularly suitable as indicators for the use in optical oxygen sensors. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.