Tetrafluorobenzo-Fused BODIPY: A Platform for Regioselective Synthesis of BODIPY Dye Derivatives

Andrea Savoldelli, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata
Qianli Meng, Louisiana State University
Roberto Paolesse, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata
Frank R. Fronczek, Louisiana State University
Kevin M. Smith, Louisiana State University
M. Graça H. Vicente, Louisiana State University

Abstract

© 2018 American Chemical Society. A novel route for the synthesis of unsymmetrical benzo-fused BODIPYs is reported using 4,5,6,7-tetrafluoroisoindole as a precursor. The reactivity of the 3,5-dibromo tetrafluorobenzo-fused BODIPY was investigated under nucleophilic substitution and Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction conditions. In addition to the 3,5-bromines, one α-fluoro group on the benzo-fused ring can also be functionalized, and an unusual homocoupling with formation of a bisBODIPY was observed. This new class of fluorinated BODIPYs could find various applications in medicine and materials.