This research was undertaken to obtain new “BODIPY” dyes that fluoresce at relatively long wavelengths. The title compounds 1a-e were prepared via a divergent route involving Suzuki couplings of arylboronic acids to N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-bromopyrrole 2, condensation of the products with an acid chloride, and incorporation of the boron difluoride entity. Two alkyl-substituted systems 7a and 7b were also prepared for comparison; the ...