New Hybrid Compound Candidate as Photothermal Agent Based on DPP Derivatives and Toluidine Blue: A Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

In this article, the synthesis of a new hybrid compound, candidate as photothermal agent, is proposed, based on TDPP (3,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dihydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione) and toluidine blue. Electronic structure calculations at the DFT, TD‐DFT and CCSD level of theories were performed to obtain ground and excited states molecular structures, photophysical properties and absorption spectrum of the hybrid and the starting compounds. Additionally, ADMET calculations were performed to predict the pharmacokinetic, metabolic and toxicity properties of the proposed compound. The results showed that the proposed compound is a strong candidate for photothermal agent since (1) it absorbs close to the near‐infrared region, (2) it has low fluorescence and intersystem crossing rate constants, (3) it has accessible conical intersection with low energy barrier, (4) the compound shows lower toxicity than the well know compound toluidine blue, which is used in photodynamic therapy, (5) the compound does not show carcinogenic potential, and (6) it obeys the Lipinski's rule of five, used as a reference for the design of new pharmaceuticals.