meso-CF3-Difluoroboradiazaindacenes (BODIPY) as Markers for Visualization of Lysosomes

meso-CF3-Fluorophores BODIPY were obtained using a methodology including, as a key step, the condensation of trifluoro(pyrrolyl)ethanols with pyrroles having aryl or heterocyclic substituents. The resulting compounds were studied as lysosome-specific fluorescent dyes on Ehrlich carcinoma cells. It was found that a bright fluorescence of cells in the red region of the spectrum is observed for four (1a and 1c–1e) of the five studied fluorophores. Fluorophore 1a is capable of selective accumulation in lysosomes and can be used for intravital monitoring of intracellular processes. Fluorophores 1c–1e also exhibit a bright fluorescence in the blue and green regions of the spectrum.