Four oxygen-sensitive meso-phenyl group with p-azo function Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes were synthesized, and their structures and photophysical properties were studied by H-1 NMR, cyclic voltammetry and emission spectroscopy. Oxygen-sensing properties of BODIPYs are relevant to their catalytic activity under visible light. They were used to photocatalize oxidation of thioanisole. These metal-free visible-light catalytic agents could complete 100 % conversation from thioanisole to methylphenyl sulfoxide.