BODIPY-based photosensitizers with intense visible light harvesting ability and high O-1(2) quantum yield in aqueous solution

A novel method to enhance the singlet oxygen quantum yield of photosensitizers in aqueous solution has been developed by introducing an electron-withdrawing group into BODIPY. B-2 was prepared based on this method and shows intense light harvesting ability (epsilon = 6.8 x 10(4) M-1 cm(-1) at 643 nm)and high O-1(2) quantum yield in aqueous solution (phi = 0.21). B-2 has been successfully used as an O-1(2) sensitizer for the photo-oxidation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene. This method substantially improves the photooxidation capability and photostability of O-1(2) sensitizers in aqueous solution.