ABSTRACT The photophysical properties of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes are overviewed in the present work. To this end, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of BODIPY derivatives are analyzed as a function of their molecular structure, in a multitude of solvents with different physicochemical properties and in solid polymeric matrices. Quantum mechanical calculations are also applied in order to complement the experimental measurements and to explain the photophysical behaviour of these dyes. The fluorescence properties are adequately correlated with the lasing properties of these dyes, from which the best structural and environmental conditions optimizing the laser performance of these dyes can be monitored from fluorescence data. Thus, adequate modifications in the polarity and the free volume of the solid polymeric matrices are proposed in order to ameliorate the fluorescence and lasing capacities of the BODIPY dye. Moreover, the covalent linkage of the chromophore to polymeric chains does not alter the excellent photophysical properties of the BODIPY core, but enhances the thermostability of these dyes, increasing the operative lifetime of BODIPYs.
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