Engineering asymmetric D–π–A BODIPYs as high-performance photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

Asymmetric D-π-A BODIPY photosensitizer 5c, based-on a mono-naphtho[<i>b</i>]-fused BODIPY core substituted with 8-trifluoromethylphenyl, 3-(4-methylthiopheneethylene), and 2-iodine groups, adopts a distorted structure. This design yields red-visible absorption at 661 nm, achieving a 38% ¹O₂ yield alongside the concurrent generation of O₂˙^-. Incorporated into nanoparticles, 5c demonstrates potent photodynamic activity (IC₅₀ = 3.2 µM) in cancer cells under low-dose laser irradiation, highlighting its potential as a highly efficient PDT agent.