Modulation of singlet oxygen generation in halogenated BODIPY dyes by substitution at their: Meso position: Towards a solvent-independent standard in the vis region

International audienceA series of halogenated BODIPY with different substitutions patterns at meso position such as aryl groups and heteroatoms (methylthio (MeS) and amino (NR2) groups) with various electron-donor and electron-withdrawing properties are studied. A detailed analysis of their photophysical properties as well as a thorough determination of their singlet oxygen quantum yields enlightens the role of the substituents at the meso position. Importantly, one of the new halogenated BODIPY with a methylthio group at the meso position, with intense absorption band in the visible region is proposed as a suitable reference with high singlet oxygen quantum yield, practically constant in different solvents of a wide polarity range. © 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry