Visible light-triggered fluorescence and pH modulation using metastable-state photoacids and BODIPY

Abstract

Small changes in the pH gradient play a critical role in numerous biological and chemical pathways. Systems capable of monitoring and regulating these changes with high sensitivity and minimum photo-fatigue are in demand. Herein, we propose a visible light-triggered molecular system that allows for reversible regulation of acidity and fluorescence. This robust bi-functional system opens a new horizon towards novel studies that rely on small changes in acid-mediated controlled processes with high sensitivity. The two photosensitive compounds employed, a metastable-state photoacid (mPAH) and a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivative, allow for consistent modulation of both fluorescence (based on the working principle of the inner filter effect) and pH (around a magnitude) over multiple cycles.