Evaluation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Targeting Isoquinol‐Based BODIPY Dyes and Their Properties as Molecular Rotors

Abstract

AbstractA series of six new isoquinol‐based BODIPY dyes have been synthesized by a two‐step method. Unlike traditional synthetic methods, synthesis did not require the use of oxidizing agents or solvent. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and DFT calculations indicate that the properties associated with the six dyes are very similar with little influence of the meso‐substituents. Viscosity studies identified three of the new dyes having properties of molecular rotors for applications in the detection of changes in cellular viscosity. Incubation of the dyes with the HEK cell line show no toxicity up to 10 μM over a 72 h. period. The dyes show the ability to localize within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of cells. With two of the dyes showing favorable comparisons to commercially available ER dyes.