Polymeric BODIPY dyes and methods for using the same

A polymeric tandem dye comprising a light harvesting BODIPY unit-comprising multichromophore and described by formula (V):

• wherein
• B1 is a BODIPY unit of the structure:
• wherein:
• R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;
• R5 is selected from substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted heteroaryl and linker, wherein R5 of B1 is substituted with one or more water solubilizing groups;
• 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;
• B2 is a BODIPY unit of the structure:
• wherein:
• R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;
• R5 is selected from substituted alkyl, substituted aryl and substituted heteroaryl, wherein R5 of B2 is substituted with L′-C′;
• 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
• each M2 is a π conjugated co-monomer;
• 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 terminal group, π conjugated segment, linker and linked specific binding member;
• L1 is an optional linker;
• and
• C1 is an acceptor chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith.