BODIPY-based iridium and ruthenium complexes: Synthesis, photophysical, and photochemical properties

The design, synthesis, and characterization of novel BODPY-based iridium and ruthenium complexes were reported. The structures of new compounds were fully characterized by FT-IR, MALDI-TOF mass analysis, elemental analysis, ¹H, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopies. Precursor BODIPY was characterized by single-crystal x-ray diffraction technique for the first time. Photophysical properties including absorption and emission profiles and lifetimes were investigated via UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy. Photochemical properties were investigated via direct method, and the singlet oxygen production capabilities of new complexes were determined by NIR phosphorescence methods. BODIPY-based new complexes were efficient at producing ¹O₂. Besides, both complexes showed more remarkable photosensitization ability than some commonly used photosensitizer based on BODIPY derivatives. This study points out that novel complexes are effective ¹O₂ photosensitizers that might be used for different application areas like photodynamic therapy.