Değirmenci, AysunSonkaya, ÖmerSoylukan, CanerKaraduman, TuğçeAlgı, Fatih2021-11-022021-11-0220212576-6422https:/dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.1c00328https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12451/8557We disclose an interesting concept for developing heavy atom-free chemiluminogenic photosensitizers. To accomplish this, conjugates 2 and 3, which are composed of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione units, are investigated. 2 and 3 are compared in terms of their photophysical properties, chemiluminescence responses, and singlet oxygen production. Strikingly, the results indicate that decoration of BODIPY with the 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione scaffold boosts the singlet oxygen generation. Furthermore, treatment of epidermoid laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 (Hep-2) cells with conjugates 2 and 3 results in efficient cellular internalization which ensures live- cell imaging of Hep-2 cells. Finally, it is noteworthy that in vitro cytotoxicity assays reveal that both 2 and 3 induce cytotoxicity when illuminated with red light. Thus, 2 and 3 represent heavy atom-free chemiluminogenic photosensitizers.trinfo:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccessPhotodynamic therapy (PDT)Heavy-atom Free PhotosensitizerChemiluminescenceCRETBODIPYArticle465090509810.1021/acsabm.1c00328Q1N/A