Long-Wavelength Absorbing Benzimidazolo-Chlorin for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

In this study, we condensed methyl pyropheophorbide-a (2) with 1,2-phenylenediamine to synthesize benzimidazolochlorin (3a) as an effective near-infrared photosensitizer (PS) with an absorption maximum of 730 nm. The ability of 3a to generate singlet oxygen, as well as its photodynamic effect on A549 and HeLa cells, was investigated. PS exhibited strong phototoxicity and negligible dark toxicity. Its structure was examined by UV−visible spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

Unsymmetrical Benzothieno-Fused BODIPYs as Efficient NIR Heavy-Atom-Free Photosensitizers

“…Nowadays, numerous tetrapyrrolic porphyrins, chlorins, phthalocyanines, and other nonporphyrinoid organic dyes such as cyanine, squaraine, diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), and boron dipyrromethane (BODIPY) derivatives have been developed as PSs . The well-known BODIPY, as a sister of porphyrin, displays superior optical properties such as sharp absorption, high molar absorption coefficients, high photostability, and flexible structures .…”