Green to red emitting BODIPY dyes for fluorescent sensing and imaging of carbon dioxide

•New fluorescent BODIPY dyes cover green to far red part of electromagnetic spectrum.•The red emitting dyes feature unmatched photostability.•Phenol receptors render dyes pH sensitive and suitable for sensing applications.•Optical plastic carbon dioxide sensors are prepared upon immobilization of the indicators into ethyl cellulose.•Tuneability of sensing properties and suitability for referenced ratiometric read-outs are demonstrated.