Synthesis and photochemical properties of phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes containing o-carborane units

Tetra-2,3-Pyrazinoporphyrazines with Externally Appended Pyridine Rings 22 Synthesis, Physicochemical and Photoactivity Studies on In(III) Mono- and Heteropentanuclear Complexes

The basic macrocyclic octapyridinotetrapyrazinoporphyrazine In^III complex of formula [Py₈TPyzPzIn(OAc)]·8H₂O, prepared by reaction of the free ligand [Py₈TPyzPzH₂]·2H₂O with In(OAc)₃, is a stable-to-air species of which the structure has been studied by its X-ray powder diffraction and mass spectra and characterization operated by IR and UV-visible spectral behavior. The complex has been further examined and proven to be of potential interest for its response as an anticancer agent in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT), the value of Φ_Δ = 0.55 (in DMF) being in the range of 0.4–0.6 at the level of similar phthalocyanine and porphyrazine analogs and qualifying the species as a highly efficient anticancer agent. Planned parallel types of investigation, including their photoactive behaviour in PDT, have been extended to the mononuclear octacation [(2-Mepy)₈TPyzPzIn(OAc)]⁸⁺ (salted by iodide ions) and the heteropentanuclear derivatives [(M’Cl₂)₄Py₈TPyzPzIn(OAc)]·xH₂O (M’ = Pd^II, x = 8; Pt^II, x = 1)) and [{(Pd(CBT)₂)₄}Py₈TPyzPzIn(OAc)]·19H₂O (CBT = m-carborane-1-thiolate anion).

Homo/Heteropentanuclear Porphyrazine MgII, ZnII, and PdII Macrocycles with Externally Pending PdCl2 and Pd(CBT)2 Units: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, and Photoactivity Studies

Recent work has been developed on two new classes of neutral porphyrazine complexes of formulas [(PdCl₂)₄Py₈PzM]·xH₂O (Py₈Pz = octakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrazinato anion; M = Mg^II(H₂O), Zn^II, Pd^II) and [{Pd(CBT)₂}₄Py₈PzM]·xH₂O (M = Mg^II(H₂O), Zn^II; CBT = m-carborane-1-thiolate anion). Characterization of all the species has been conducted by IR and UV-visible spectral measurements in a systematic comparison with the corresponding already known mononuclear species [Py₈PzM] (M = Mg^II(H₂O), Zn^II) and the mono-Pd^II analogue isolated and presented here for the first time. Comparison includes also the two parent classes of pentanuclear tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines having the more extended π-electron delocalized macrocyclic core Py₈TPyzPz. The reported new classes of pentanuclear complexes behave as active photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT), and due to the high boron content of the CBT derivatives, perspectives for them are open of application in the field of bimodal PDT/BNCT (boron neutron capture therapy) anticancer treatments.

Ru(ii) and Ir(iii) phenanthroline-based photosensitisers bearing o-carborane: PDT agents with boron carriers for potential BNCT

Four novel transition metal-carborane photosensitisers were prepared by Sonogashira cross-coupling of 1-(4-ethynylbenzyl)-2-methyl-o-carborane (A-CB) with halogenated Ru(ii)- or Ir(iii)-phenanthroline complexes. The resulting boron-rich complexes with one (RuCB and IrCB) or two carborane cages (RuCB2 and IrCB2) were spectroscopically characterised, and their photophysical properties investigated. RuCB displayed the most attractive photophysical properties in solution (λ_em 635 nm, τ_T 2.53 μs, and φ_p 20.4%). Nanosecond time-resolved transient absorption studies were used to explore the ³MLCT nature of the triplet excited states, and the highest singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) were obtained for the mono-carborane-phenanthroline complexes (RuCB: 52% and IrCB: 25%). None of the complexes produce dark toxicity in SKBR-3 cells after incubation under photodynamic therapy (PDT) conditions. Remarkably, mono-carboranes RuCB and IrCB were the best internalised by the SKBR-3 cells, demonstrating the first examples of tris-bidentate transition metal-carborane complexes acting as triplet photosensitisers for PDT with a high photoactivity; RuCB or IrCB killed ∼50% of SKBR-3 cells at 10 μM after irradiation. Therefore, the high-boron content and the photoactive properties of these photosensitisers make them potential candidates as dual anti-cancer agents for PDT and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).

A versatile heterogeneous photocatalyst: nanoporous gold powder modified with a zinc(II) phthalocyanine derivative for singlet oxygen [4 + 2] cycloadditions

Nanoporous gold was functionalized with a photosensitizer, a zinc(II) phthalocyanine derivative. Such systems are active for the generation of reactive singlet oxygen which can be used for photocatalytic oxidation reactions. This study aims to demonstrate the versatility of such an approach, in terms of substrates and the employed solvent, only possible for a truly heterogeneous catalytic system. The activity of the hybrid system was studied for [4 + 2] cycloadditions of three different types of dienes and a total of eight substrates in two organic solvents and once in water. The highest activity was measured for 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran, which is also highest in terms of sensitivity for the reaction with ¹O₂. Trends in conversion could be anticipated based on reported values for the rate constant for the reaction of ¹O₂. In almost all cases, an amplification of the conversion by immobilization of the sensitizer onto nanoporous gold was observed. The limiting case was ergosterol, which was the largest of all substrates with a van-der-Waals radius of about 2.1 nm. Additional factors such as the limited lifetime of ¹O₂ in different solvents as well as the hampered diffusion of the substrates were identified.

Comparison of the photocatalytic activity of novel hybrid photocatalysts based on phthalocyanines, subphthalocyanines and porphyrins immobilized onto nanoporous gold

A series of different singlet oxygen photosensitizers was immobilized onto nanoporous gold powder with a mean pore size of 40 nm via copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The attachment of phthalocyanine and porphyrin derivatives was performed on the peripheral substituent of the macrocycle, whereas the subphthalocyanine derivatives were attached via the axial substituent with respect to the macrocyclic ring system. All obtained hybrid systems were studied in the photooxidation of 2,5-diphenylfuran as a chemical singlet oxygen quencher and showed increased photocatalytic activity compared to the same amount of the corresponding photosensitizer in solution due to photoinduced interactions of the plasmon resonance of the nanostructured gold support and the attached photosensitizer. The understanding of the different photophysical interactions depending on the coordination mode of the macrocycle as well as the position of the absorbance in the electromagnetic spectrum is an important point in the development towards highly active hybrid photocatalysts covering a broad absorption range within the spectrum of visible light.

Impact of photosensitizer orientation on the distance dependent photocatalytic activity in zinc phthalocyanine-nanoporous gold hybrid systems

Nanoporous gold powder was functionalized in a two-step approach by an azide terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and a zinc(ii) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivative by copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). A series of different hybrid systems with systematic variation of the alkyl chain length on both positions, the alkanethiol SAM and the peripheral substituents of the ZnPc derivative, was prepared and studied in the photooxidation of diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF). An enhancement by nearly one order of magnitude was observed for the photosensitized singlet oxygen (1O2) generation of the hybrid systems compared to the same amount of ZnPc in solution caused by the interaction of the npAu surface plasmon resonance and the excited state of the immobilized sensitizer. This interaction was shown to be distance dependent, with decreasing activity for short SAMs with alkyl chain lengths < 6 methylene groups caused by quenching of the excited state via electron transfer as well as decreasing activity for SAMs with n > 8 methylene groups due to decreasing energy transfer for long distances. An unexpected distance dependent behaviour was observed for the variation of the peripheral alkyl chain on the photosensitizer revealing a planar orientation of the immobilized photosensitizer on the nanoporous gold surface by a penta-coordinated central zinc ion through interaction with free azide groups from the self-assembled monolayer.

Ball-Type Dioxy-o-Carborane Bridged Cobaltphthalocyanine: Synthesis, Characterization and DFT Studies For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as Photosensitizer

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of an innovative ball-type cobalt metallophthalocyanine 4, bridged by four 1,2-bis(2-hydroxymethyl)-O-carborane (HMOC) 1 units, has been achieved. The synthesized compound 4 was characterized structurally and electronically using elemental analysis, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, EPR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. The photovoltaic performance of the newly synthesized compound in dye-sensitized solar cells was investigated. In order to clarify the effect of dye-sensitization time on photovoltaic performance parameters, the sensitization time was varied from 12 to 60 h and the performance parameters were investigated. It was found that sensitization time had a strong effect on the main performance parameters. The best photovoltaic performance was achieved after sensitization for 36 h (short circuit current density, 5.41 mA cm−2; overall conversion efficiency, 3.42%). Computational UV-Vis absorption spectra of the molecule was calculated using time dependent density functional theory and was found consistent with measured UV-Vis spectra.

Porphyrinoid-based photosensitizers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications: An update

Porphyrin-based molecules are actively studied as dual function theranostics: fluorescence-based imaging for diagnostics and fluorescence-guided therapeutic treatment of cancers. The intrinsic fluorescent and photodynamic properties of the bimodal molecules allows for these theranostic approaches. Several porphyrinoids bearing both hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic units at their periphery have been developed for the aforementioned applications, but better tumor selectivity and high efficacy to destroy tumor cells is always a key setback for their use. Another issue related to their effective clinical use is that, most of these chromophores form aggregates under physiological conditions. Nanomaterials that are known to possess incredible properties that cannot be achieved from their bulk systems can serve as carriers for these chromophores. Porphyrinoids, when conjugated with nanomaterials, can be enabled to perform as multifunctional nanomedicine devices. The integrated properties of these porphyrinoid-nanomaterial conjugated systems make them useful for selective drug delivery, theranostic capabilities, and multimodal bioimaging. This review highlights the use of porphyrins, chlorins, bacteriochlorins, phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines as well as their multifunctional nanodevices in various biomedical theranostic platforms.

Synthesis, characterization and structural computational investigation of novel Zn(II) phthalocyanines containing peripheral anthracene moieties

New zinc(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPc-I and ZnPc-II) containing four peripheral anthracene pendant groups were synthesized by cyclotetramerization of (E)-4-(3-(4-((anthracen-9-yl-methylene)amino)phenoxy)propoxy)phthalonitrile and 4-(3-(4-((anthracen-9-ylmethyl)amino)phenoxy)propoxy)phthalonitrile. All compounds were characterized using a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques such 1H, [Formula: see text]C NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis and MS spectral data. The molecular geometry and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) 1H and [Formula: see text]C chemical shift values of the compounds in the ground state have also been calculated using B3LYP with the 6–31G([Formula: see text] basis set. The chemical shift of the optimized molecular structure is compared with the experimental chemical shift values.

Synthesis, characterization, and DFT study of novel metallo phtalocyanines with four carboranyl clusters as photosensitisers for the photodynamic therapy of breast cancer cells

The synthesis and characterization of novel Zn(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines 4 and 5, respectively containing four o-carboranyl units (40 boron atoms, 32.5% boron by weight) at the peripheral positions are described. The phthalocyanines (Pcs) were synthesized by cyclotetramerization of the previously prepared precursor 4‑(2‑thiol‑o‑carboranyl)thiolato‑phthalonitrile 3 with the presence of metal salt in boiling dry DMF under a dry nitrogen atmosphere. They were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-TOF mass and ¹H NMR spectrometry. To elucidate the structural, spectroscopic and bonding properties of the obtained compounds, calculations with DFT/TD-DFT(Density Functional Theory/Time Dependent-Density Functional Theory) were performed. The cytotoxic effects of 4 and 5 on cancer cells and epithelial cells were determined. The targeted cytotoxicities of both compounds against cancer cells were analyzed with the cell viability test. Although, 4 caused less PDT (Photodynamic therapy) based decrease in cell viability of cancer cell line in comparison to 5, it showed comparatively high cytotoxicity against cancer cells but not epithelial cells. The IC₅₀ (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values indicate that 4 with PDT shows 17.3 fold more cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells than epithelial cells. The selectivity in cytotoxicity of 4 makes it a good candidate for cancer treatment. Interestingly, 5 was found to be highly cytotoxic for both cancer and epithelial cell lines. Considerably, 5 might be used as a cancer drug when combined with targeting agents such as antibodies and aptamers.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with Peripherally Appended Pyridine Rings. 19. Pentanuclear Octa(2-pyridyl)tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines Carrying Externally Carboranthiolate Groups: Physicochemical Properties and Potentialities as Anticancer Drugs

New pentanuclear porphyrazine complexes of formula [{Pd(CBT)₂}₄LM]· xH₂O (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato anion, CBT = m-carborane-1-thiolate, and M = Mg^II(H₂O), Zn^II, Pd^II) were prepared in good yield as dark green hydrated amorphous solids by reaction of the respective pentanuclear species [(PdCl₂)₄LM] with m-carboran-1-thiol in CH₃CN. Physicochemical characterization of the new species was carried out by elemental and thermogravimetric analysis along with IR and ¹H/¹³C NMR measurements. UV-vis spectral characterization performed in DMSO, DMF, and pyridine solution provided information about the stability of the new homo/heteropentanuclear species and their tendency to undergo detachment of the peripheral Pd(CBT)₂ groups. The data from NMR, UV-vis, and electrochemical experiments indicate that external coordination of the Pd(CBT)₂ units to the mononuclear [LM] species affects only slightly the π electron distribution within the internal macrocyclic choromophore. The Pd(CBT)₂ units are released in pyridine solution and in the case of the Zn^II complex [{Pd(CBT)₂}₄LZn] give rise to a finely crystalline light-yellow solid identified by single-crystal X-ray work as the trans isomer of the bispyridine adduct [py₂(CBT)₂Pd]. The new pentanuclear macrocyclic complexes behave in DMF solution as active photosensitizers for singlet oxygen production, ¹O₂, the cytotoxic agent in anticancer photodynamic therapy, and have larger quantum yield values (Φ_Δ = 0.6-0.7) than those found on average for the related tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine analogs (Φ_Δ = 0.4-0.6). The presence of the CBT groups in the currently investigated complexes opens up the possibility for their use in boron neutron capture therapy, leading potentially to new bimodal anticancer curative drugs.

Interactions of zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine with selected amino acids and with albumin

Effect of selected amino acids (glycine, l-histidine, l-cysteine, l-serine, l-tryptophan) and albumin on the spectroscopic properties and photostability of zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine (ZnPcOC) was explored in the phosphate buffer at a pH of 7.0. The photodegradation of ZnPcOC alone and in the presence of amino acids or albumin has been investigated in aqueous phase using UV-366nm and daylight irradiation. Kinetic analysis showed that the interaction with amino acids or albumin enhances the photostability of ZnPcOC. To answer the question of how zinc phthalocyanine interacts with amino acids extensive DFT calculations were performed. Analysis of the optimized geometry features of ZnPcOC: amino acids complexes in the gas phase and in water environment as well as the BSSE corrected interaction energies indicates that the more likely is the formation of equatorial complexes in which H-bonds are formed between the COOH groups of the phthalocyanine and carboxyl or amino groups of amino acids. UV-Vis spectra calculated by employing time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) are also consistent with this conclusion.

Water-soluble carboranyl-phthalocyanines for BNCT. Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro tests of the Zn(ii)-nido-carboranyl-hexylthiophthalocyanine

Nido-[ZnMCHESPc]Cs₈ increases boron concentration in selected cancerous cell lines.

Synthesis and in vitro study of new highly boronated phthalocyanine

A new highly boronated Zn ( II )-phthalocyanine with eight cobalt bis(dicarbollide) units (144 boron atoms) was prepared and its intracellular accumulation and distribution in GL6 human glioblastoma cells were studied. It was found that the boronated phthalocyanine undergoes strong aggregation in intracellular environment.

Spectroscopic insights on imidazole substituted phthalocyanine photosensitizers: fluorescence properties, triplet state and singlet oxygen generation

Imidazole substituted metal phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes were synthesized. UV-vis absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, as well as laser flash photolysis were used to measure the photophysical and photosensitizing properties. All the imidazole-phthalocyanine conjugates show high ΦT (quantum yield of excited triplet formation), high ΦΔ (singlet oxygen formation yield, >0.50) and good fluorescence properties (quantum yield Φf>0.20 and lifetime τf>3.0 ns). Compared to the unsubstituted Pc, both α- and β-imidazole substitutions result in the remarkable decrease in Φf and τf, but the α-substitution is stronger. The imidazole substitution, on the other hand, causes the increase of ΦT, τT, and ΦΔ values. Magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) is more susceptible to the substitution than zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc). The mechanism responsible for the result is suggested based on the involvement of intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. The high ΦΔ and appropriate fluorescence properties make the Pcs good candidate for PDT photosensitizers.