Novel fluorescent chemosensor for anions via modulation of oxidative PET: a remarkable 25-fold enhancement of emission

The fluorescence emission intensity of the 1:1 Zn(II) complex of a doubly boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) substituted bipyridyl ligand is highly sensitive to anion coordination to the metal center. Oxidative PET, which is responsible for the quenching of the fluorescence in the complex is effectively inhibited by anion coordination, leading to a 25-fold enhancement of the emission intensity.