Efficient deprotection of F-BODIPY derivatives: removal of BF2 using Bronsted acids

The effective and efficient removal of the BF2 moiety from F-BODIPY derivatives has been achieved using two common Bronsted acids; treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) or methanolic hydrogen chloride (HCl) followed by work-up with Ambersep(R) 900 resin (hydroxide form) effects this conversion in near-quantitative yields. Compared to existing methods, these conditions are relatively mild and operationally simple, requiring only reaction at room temperature for six hours (TFA) or overnight (HCl).