β-AlkenylBODIPY Dyes: Regioselective Synthesis via Oxidative C–H Olefination, Photophysical Properties, and Bioimaging Studies

A series of 2-alkenyl- and 2,6-dialkenylboron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives were synthesized through Pd(II)-catalyzed regioselective and stereoselective oxidative C–H olefination in one step. The 2-alkenyl BODIPY derivative further reacted with various amines regioselectively at the 5-position through direct oxidative nucleophilic substitution. The photophysical properties of the 2-alkenyl- and 2,6-dialkenyl-substituted BODIPYs were investigated, which showed great potential in fluorescent bioimaging.