Evolution of BODIPY as triplet photosensitizers from homogeneous to heterogeneous: The strategies of functionalization to various forms and their recent applications

The BODIPY chromophore is one of the most versatile fluorophore building blocks in various research fields, especially in life science and material science. It has attracted substantial attention and made remarkable advancements in the past decades, with the prestigious property of photosensitizing. The BODIPY derivatives are well-known triplet photosensitizers that can absorb light and convert light energy into chemical energy stored in the desired reactants. The key to achieving practical applications of the BODIPY triplet photosensitizers lies in structural functionalization. For strategic functionalization, regardless of an overwhelming number of approaches, it is very important to firstly confirm the purpose of their ultimate applications, and understand the basic principles to design these compounds at the molecular level. With the aid of modern synthetic chemistry, the evolution of the BODIPY-based materials as triplet photosensitizers, from small molecules to supramolecules and polymers as well as from homogeneous to heterogeneous, is happening. This review presents the recent development on various forms of BODIPY-based photosensitizers, design strategies, fundamental mechanisms, structure–property relationships, and the representative recent applications in both life science and material science. The significance and versatility of BODIPY chromophores are highlighted.