Bodipy recognizes polyaromatic hydrocarbons via C-H F type weak H-bondingElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: IR and NMR. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra27748e

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) demonstrated unusual weak C-H F type H-bonding interaction with meso -substituted Bodipy dyes ( 1-3 ) in ethanol medium. Isosbestic absorptions and enhancement of emission of Bodipy were spectroscopically detected with three chosen PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene). IR, 1 H and 19 F NMR, cyclic voltammetry, powder X-ray and Monte Carlo simulation of adducts confirmed interaction of PAHs via C-H F type H-bonding with the chosen dyes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) demonstrated unusual weak C-H F type H-bonding interaction with meso -substituted Bodipy dyes ( 1-3 ) in ethanol medium.