3-Pyrrolyl BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate was synthesized by treating α-formyl 3-pyrrolylBODIPY with o-hydroxy aniline in ethanol at reflux followed by recrystallization. The conjugate wasthoroughly characterized by HR-MS, 1D & 2D NMR and X-ray crystallography. The X-ray analysisrevealed that the BODIPY core was in planar arrangement, with the central boron atom coordinated withtwo pyrrole nitrogens of dipyrrin moieties and two axial fluoride ions in a tetrahedral geometry. The3-pyrrolyl BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate exhibited a strong absorption band at 616 nm and broad weakfluorescence band at 660 nm. The absorption and fluorescence titration studies with various metal ionsrevealed that 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY can act as colorimetric optical sensor and specific ‘‘off-on’’ fluorescentsensor for Cu²⁺ ion.

SYNOPSIS: 3-Pyrrolyl BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate was synthesized starting from α-formyl 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY. The conjugate was thoroughly characterized by HR-MS, NMR and X-ray crystallography. The absorption and fluorescence titration studies with various metal ions revealed that 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY can act as specific “off-on” fluorescent sensor for Cu²⁺ion.