Aggregation-induced emission enhancement of a meso-trifluoromethyl BODIPY via J-aggregation

A CF3-BODIPY forms strongly luminescent aggregates, which contrasts with the quenched condensed-phase photophysics that are typical for BODIPY dyes. Examination of the luminescent properties of these aggregates – narrow red-shifted absorption and emission bands, minimal Stokes shift and increased fluorescence rate constants – and of the solid-state packing of the dye establish the CF3-BODIPY as the first structurally characterized genuine BODIPY J-aggregate.