Water-soluble BODIPY dyes: a novel approach for their sustainable chemistry and applied photonics

The BODIPY family of organic dyes has emerged as a cornerstone in photonics research development, driving innovation and advancement in various fields of high socio-economic interest. However, the majority of BODIPY dyes exhibit hydrophobic characteristics, resulting in poor solubility in water and other hydrophilic solvents. This solubility is paramount for their optimal utilization in a myriad of photonic applications, particularly in the realms of biology and medicine. Furthermore, it facilitates safer and more sustainable manipulation and chemical modification of these expansive dyes. Nevertheless, bestowing BODIPYs with water solubility while preserving their other essential properties, notably their photophysical signatures, poses a significant challenge. In this context, we present a straightforward general chemical modification aimed at converting conventional hydrophobic BODIPYs into highly hydrophilic variants, thus enabling their efficient solubilization in water and other hydrophilic solvents with minimal disruption to the dye's inherent photophysics. The efficacy of this methodology is demonstrated through the synthesis of a number of water-soluble BODIPY dyes featuring diverse substitution patterns. Furthermore, we showcase their utility in a spectrum of photonics-related applications, including in-water BODIPY chemistry and dye-laser technology, and fluorescence microscopy.