Alkyl chain engineering of boron dipyrromethenes for efficient photodynamic antibacterial treatment

Photodynamic therapy has been widely employed as an alternative strategy against bacterial infection. Molecular structure has a profound effect on the antibacterial ability of photosensitizers (PSs). Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based photosensitizers with different alkyl chain lengths, and then their antibacterial activities were compared. Among these BODIPYs, the BODIPY with octyl (BDP-8) exhibits the best antibacterial effect, while the antibacterial performance of BODIPY with dodecyl (BDP-12) is the worst. This work provides instructive information for further development of effective photodynamic antimicrobial agents.