Polymeric BODIPY dyes and methods for using the same

A polymeric tandem dye comprising:

• a) a light harvesting BODIPY unit-comprising multichromophore described by formula (II):
• wherein:
• each M1 and each M2 are independently a π conjugated co-monomer;
• a, b, c, d, e and f are each independently 0, 1 or 2, wherein b+e≥1;
• n and m are independently 0 to 100,000, wherein n+m≥1;
• p is an integer from 1 to 100,000;
• each L2 is independently selected from a terminal group, a π conjugated segment, a linker and a linked specific binding member;
• and
• B1 and B2 are each independently a BODIPY unit described by the structure:
• wherein:
• R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from H, an alkyl, a substituted alkyl and a water solubilizing group;
• R5 is selected from an alkyl, a substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, a heteroaryl and a substituted heteroaryl, wherein R5 is optionally substituted with a water solubilizing group;
• and
• each R is selected from F, OH, H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, alkynyl and substituted alkynyl;
• and
• b) an acceptor chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith.