BODIPY dyes: From chalcogen-based synthesis to emerging applications and sulfur compound detection

Abstract

BODIPY dyes have emerged as one of the most versatile fluorophores due to their outstanding photophysical properties, including high fluorescence quantum yields, photostability, and structural tunability. Recent advances in the incorporation of chalcogen atoms, particularly selenium and sulfur, into the BODIPY framework have opened new avenues for tuning their electronic properties, enabling their use in chemical sensing, bioimaging, and photodynamic therapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of synthetic strategies used to functionalize BODIPY dyes with chalcogens, exploring how such modifications affect their optical behavior and expanding their applicability across biological and technological fields. Special emphasis is given to their roles in detecting reactive oxygen species, superoxide anions, hypochlorite, biothiols, and metal ions, as well as in triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The growing interest in these derivatives is underpinned by their unique redox behavior, responsiveness to the cellular environment, and compatibility with advanced imaging techniques. Finally, we present an updated perspective on the most recent and impactful methodologies, highlighting selected examples of BODIPY-based systems - including cases where the chalcogen atom is not directly attached to the BODIPY core - applied in the development for sulfur compound detection, emphasizing their evolution and significance.