Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Strategy for Direct and Regioselective Oligomerization of BODIPY Dyes

A family of directly β,γ-linked BODIPY oligomers up to pentamers were regioselectively prepared via Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative C-H cross-coupling. The structural integrity of β,γ-linked dimers was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray crystallography. These structurally unprecedented oligomers showed red-shifted absorptions and near-infrared emissions along with efficient intersystem crossing, giving Φ_Δ in the range of 12-43%, for potential use as heavy-atom-free photosensitizers.