Abstract Thesynthesis of three red-emitting and water-soluble thienyl-BODIPYs has beenachieved. The trimethyl (propargyl) ammonium group was chosen as a vector forwater solubility. One or two cationic arms were introduced either on the2-position of the thienyl unit or on the 4-position on the boron atom. Thesedyes have pronounced absorption around 600 nm and intense emission at 650 nmwith quantum yield of about 60% in water. Grafting of ...