Construction of diene-extended meso-CF3-BODIPY for spectroscopic study and photothermal exploration

The thermogenesis process is enhanced by the accelerated non-radiative transition energy dissipation induced by the free rotation of the –CF3 group at meso-site in BODIPY system, which is a valuable strategy for tumor photothermal therapy. In this work, we first introduced the diene bonds to meso-CF3-BODIPY at 3,5-sites. This diene-extended meso-CF3-BODIPY possessed remarkable photostability with a near-infrared absorption (λabs = 836 nm), and the fluorescence emission and triplet transition are both inhibited. meso-CF3-BODIPY-NPs by self-assembly has a photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE: 44.4%) and good promotion of cancer cell apoptosis upon irradiation. Therefore, this molecular design performed as a critical reference for the construction of forthcoming photothermal reagents. •The diene bonds were introduced to meso-CF3-BODIPY at 3,5-sites.•This diene-extended meso-CF3-BODIPY possessed near-infrared absorption (λabs = 836 nm).•meso-CF3-BODIPY-NPs by self-assembly had a photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE: 44.4%) and could kill cancer cells via apoptosis upon irradiation.