A new series of aza-BODIPYs (CNÀ X) with significantly redshifted absorbances were designed and synthesized by installation of various electron-donating groups on the para-positions of 3,5-phenyl groups while strong electron-withdrawing groups (nitrile groups) were fixed on the para-positions of 1,7-phenyl moieties. Interestingly, strong electron-donating groups such as N'N-dimethylaniline (CNÀ NMe 2) could provide strong NIR absorption up to 857 nm and weak fluorescence emission up to 967 nm, whereas strong evidence supported heat production via non-radiative decay after excitation. Electrochemical studies revealed that the substituents on the dyes showed strong effects on the oxidation potentials where the oxidation wave of CNÀ NMe 2 occurred at the lowest overpotential, followed by CNÀ OMe, CNÀ Me, CNÀ Br and CNÀ H, respectively. Calculations were also performed to understand the push-pull effect of the substituents on the aza-BODIPY systems. Finally, applications of dyes in NIR cancer cell imaging and the NIR-II photothermal effect were also investigated.

Compared with normal cells, cancer cells usually exhibit an increase in glucose uptake as part of the Warburg effect. To take advantage of this hallmark of cancer, glucose transporters could...

A bivalent indomethacin/Aza-BODIPY conjugate can selectively visualize the COX-2 enzyme in cancer and inflamed cells confirming its potential as a COX-2-specific biomarker in clinical applications.