Multi-emissive difluoroboron dibenzoylmethane polylactide exhibiting intense fluorescence and oxygen-sensitive room-temperature phosphorescence

Boron difluoride compounds are light emitting materials with impressive optical properties. Though their strong one- and two-photon absorption and intense fluorescence are well-known and exploited in molecular probes, lasers, and photosensitizers, phosphorescence, in contrast, is typically observed only at low temperatures. Here, we report that unusual room-temperature phosphorescence is achieved by combining a classic boron dye, difluoroboron dibenzoylmethane, BF(2)dbm, with poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a common biopolymer, resulting in a highly sensitive single-component oxygen sensor. Fluorescence quantum yields are enhanced, and temperature-sensitive delayed fluorescence is also observed. Multi-emissive BF(2)dbmPLA biomaterials show great promise as multifunctional molecular probes and sensors.