Combinatorial synthesis and characterization of new asymmetric porphyrins as potential photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy

Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2007 Jul;10(6):466-72. doi: 10.2174/138620707781996385.

Abstract

Porphyrins play a major role as active photosensitizers in noninvasive optical photodynamic therapy (PDT). In a modular approach, this paper presents a short review of the recent developments of porphyrin structures and materials with improved photosensitizing properties and then presents the synthesis and characterization of a series of new second generation asymmetrical meso-tetraphenylporphyrins varied by substituent in the meta positions of the phenyl rings with either -OH or -OCH3 groups, whereas in the para positions only with -OCH3 groups. The new series of differentially functionalized porphyrins were obtained by a combinatorial multicomponent synthesis (Adler-Longo method) by simultaneously using two different aldehydes: 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The porphyrins were isolated, purified and characterized by HPLC, TLC, UV-vis, fluorescence, MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR analysis, accompanied by DEPT 135 experiments. Because of the fact that the medium in cancerous tissues is often more acidic than in normal tissues, the capacity of these porphyrins to exist simultaneously in aggregated and protonated forms was also investigated, in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and acid THF-water systems, underlying the changes in the photophysical behaviour. The relative fluorescence quantum yields (Phif) were calculated in comparison with meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and the values between 0.14-0.26 were found to be promising for further trials. The series of asymmetrically substituted tetraphenylporphyrins, as the new class of supramolecular materials, are suitable for further functionalization in order to improve their photophysical properties, and they could represent interesting potential PDT photosensitizers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / methods*
  • Drug Design*
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / chemical synthesis*
  • Porphyrins / chemistry

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins