Fluorescence of BODIPY Dyes in Gas Phase at near Ambient Conditions

Molecular fluorescence is a phenomenon that is usually observed in condensed phase. It is strongly affected by molecular interactions. The study of fluorescence spectra in the gas phase can provide a nearly-ideal model for the evaluation of intrinsic properties of the fluorophores. Unfortunately, most conventional fluorophores are not volatile enough to allow study of their fluorescence in the gas phase. Here we report very bright gas phase fluorescence of simple BODIPY dyes that can be readily observed at atmospheric pressure using conventional fluorescence instrumentation. To our knowledge, this is the first example of visible range gas phase fluorescence at near ambient conditions. Evaporation of the dye in vacuum allowed us to demonstrate organic molecular electroluminescence in gas discharge excited by electric field produced by a Tesla coil.