Novel NIR fluorescent, conformationalrestrictedaza-dipyrrometheneborondifluoride (aza-BODIPY) dyes were prepared by an efficient process. Such conformationalrestrictedaza-BODIPY dyes possess intense absorption, strong fluorescence, high chemical and photostability. Additionally, the sharp fluorescence of non-amine containing aza-BODIPY dyes is insensitive to solvent polarity.