Porphyrins and phthalocyanines have outstanding chemical and thermal stability. The macrocyclic structure and chemical reactivity of tetrapyrroles offers architectural flexibility and facilitates the tailoring of chemical, physical and optoelectronic parameters. The specific optical properties of the tetrapyrrole macrocycle combined with the synthetic methodologies now available and the already available theoretical and spectroscopic knowledge on their optical behavior make porphyrins a target of choice for this area. They are versatile organic nanomaterials with a rich photochemistry and their excited state properties are easily modulated through conformational design, molecular symmetry, metal complexation, orientation and strength of the molecular dipole moment, size and degree of conjugation of the π‐systems, and appropriate donor‐acceptor substituents. Here we review the structural chemistry and optical properties of recently synthesized porphyrin derivatives that offer potential for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications and complement existing studies on phthalocyanines. Classes of interest include the classic A4 symmetric tetrapyrroles, while optimized systems include push‐pull porphyrins, oligomeric and supramolecular self‐assembled systems, films and nanoparticle systems, and highly conjugated porphyrin arrays.

The functional versatility of tetrapyrroles as natural cofactors is related to their conformational flexibility where manipulation of the macrocycle conformation allows a fine-tuning of their physicochemical properties. This feature article gives a personal account of the synthesis and solid state structural characterization of highly substituted, non-planar porphyrins. Their conformational analysis identifies sterically strained tetrapyrroles as a versatile class of biomimetic compounds with tailor-made properties.

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SummaryPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has developed over last century and is now becoming a more widely used medical tool having gained regulatory approval for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and macular degeneration. It is a two-step technique in which delivery of a photosensitizing drug is followed by irradiation of light. Activated photosensitizers transfer energy to molecular oxygen which results in generation of reactive oxygen species which in turn cause cells apoptosis or necrosis. Although this modality has significantly improved quality of life and survival time for many cancer patients it still offers significant potential for further improvement. In addition to the development of new PDT drugs, the use of nanosized carriers for photosensitizers is a promising approach which might improve the efficiency of photodynamic activity and which can overcome many side effects associated with classic photodynamic therapy. This review aims at highlighting the different types of nanomedical approaches currently used in PDT and outlines future trends and limitations of nanodelivery of photosensitizers. PDT -photodynamic therapy; PGA -poly(glycolic acid); PGLA -poly(D,L-lactide-coglycolide); PLA -poly(lactic acid); PS -photosensitizer; PEG -polyethylene glycol; ALA  aminolevulinic acid; m-THPC  5,10,15,20-tetra-(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorine; m-THPP  meso-tetra(p-hydroxyphenyl); PpIX  protoporphyrin; Hp  hematoporphyrin; Pc4  silicon phthalocyanine; Ig  immunoglobulin; Tf  transferrin; TfR  transferrin receptor; VEGF  vascular endothelial growth factor; EPR  enhanced permeability and retention effect; FRET  fluorescence resonance energy transfer; MRI  magnetic resonance imaging; RES  reticuloendothelial system; ROS  reactive oxygen species; NP  nanoparticle; ND -nanodiamonds; SNP  silica nanoparticle; AMD  age-related macular degeneration; CNV  choroidal neovascularization; PTT  photothermal therapy;