Synthesis and characterization of a meso-anthracene-BODIPY derivative for colorimetric recognition of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺

Ions exist widely in biological and environmental media, and the scarcity or excess of these species can have adverse consequences for these media. BODIPY dyes appear as heterocyclic organic compounds capable of recognizing metal ions in solution and in cells, through optical signals (colorimetric and/or fluorimetric), and its photophysical properties can be adjusted through the functionalization of the BODIPY core. In continuation of the work developed recently, our research group reports the synthesis of a meso-anthracene-BODIPY derivative and the respective characterization by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and UV-Vis. spectroscopies. The preliminary study of the chemosensory capacity of the BODIPY derivative was also carried out in the presence of several cations in acetonitrile solution which shows a selective colorimetric response for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺.