A facile and rapid iodine-catalyzed meso-tetraphenylporphyrin synthesis using microwave activation

Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsions with Fluorous Chlorin-Type Photosensitizers for Antitumor Photodynamic Therapy in Hypoxia

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) strictly depends on the availability of molecular oxygen to trigger the light-induced generation of reactive species. Fluorocarbons have an increased ability to dissolve oxygen and are attractive tools for gas delivery. We synthesized three fluorous derivatives of chlorin with peripheral polyfluoroalkyl substituents. These compounds were used as precursors for preparing nanoemulsions with perfluorodecalin as an oxygen depot. Therefore, our formulations contained hydrophobic photosensitizers capable of absorbing monochromatic light in the long wavelength region and the oxygen carrier. These modifications did not alter the photosensitizing characteristics of chlorin such as the generation of singlet oxygen, the major cytocidal species in PDT. Emulsions readily entered HCT116 colon carcinoma cells and accumulated largely in mitochondria. Illumination of cells loaded with emulsions rapidly caused peroxidation of lipids and the loss of the plasma membrane integrity (photonecrosis). Most importantly, in PDT settings, emulsions potently sensitized cells cultured under prolonged (8 weeks) hypoxia as well as cells after oxygen depletion with sodium sulfite (acute hypoxia). The photodamaging potency of emulsions in hypoxia was significantly more pronounced compared to emulsion-free counterparts. Considering a negligible dark cytotoxicity, our materials emerge as efficient and biocompatible instruments for PDT-assisted eradication of hypoxic cells.

Main Strategies for the Synthesis of meso-Arylporphyrins

meso-Arylporphyrins as most accessible tetrapyrrole macroheterocycles have always been the focus of attention from researchers concerned with practically useful properties of these compounds. The first syn­theses of meso-arylporphyrins date back to about 90 years ago. Up to now, the yields of these compounds have been improved from 5 to 80%. The present review analyzes different ways and strategies for the synthesis of meso-aryl-substituted porphyrins. The most efficient methods that can be scaled up to an industrial level have been identified.

Revealing the Real Size of a Porphyrin Molecule with Quantum Confinement Probing via Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescence Spectroscopy

The confinement energy of electrons in an aromatic molecule was studied by indirect and direct methods, namely, temperature-dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We observed a decrease in the tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP) PL intensity with increasing temperature. The increase in temperature provides kinetic energy for the electrons to overcome the confinement energy barrier, making recombination via nonradiative pathways more favorable. The results of fitting the integrated TDPL intensity with a modified Arrhenius equation suggest two confinement energy values. We propose that these energy values are related to the size of the delocalized electron cloud along the plane and thickness of the H₂TPP ring. These values quantitatively express an abstract form of the size of the aromatic ring system. These results are in good agreement with the topography images of single H₂TPP molecules and monolayer H₂TPP obtained by a direct probing method using STM. These results are also supported by the porphyrin ring orientation relative to the excited crystal face during the TDPL measurements.

Dual function of lectins — new perspectives in targeted photodynamic therapy

Porphyrins and phthalocyanines are photosensitizers (PS) that are used in clinical imaging, detection of cancer cells and are particularly applied in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Many scientists have been focused on the design of different porphyrin compounds. However, similar to other anti-cancer agents, they cannot selectively recognize tumor tissues. Scientists are seeking new methods to overcome this problem and to find appropriate targeted delivery strategies. Plant lectins are especially suitable molecules for such targeting as they preferentially recognize specific antigens on the glycosylated cancer cells. This review will give more detailed information about the dual function of lectins and their interactions with PSs, which is a new perspective in targeted PDT. The implications and potential applications of such studies will also be discussed.

Synthesis of a porphyrin-hexaarylbenzene-hexabenzocoronene triad

The synthesis of a triad consisting of porphyrin and hexabenzocoronene (HBC) units, which are connected via a central hexaarylbenzene (HAB) core, is presented. The ortho substitution pattern at the core results in a close proximity of the two chromophores, which influences their properties such as the intensity ratio of UV-vis absorption bands.

A Cost-Efficient Method for Unsymmetrical Meso-Aryl Porphyrin Synthesis Using NaY Zeolite as an Inorganic Acid Catalyst

Herein we report the synthesis of unsymmetrical meso-aryl substituted porphyrins, using NaY zeolite as an inorganic acid catalyst. A comparative study between this method and the several synthetic strategies available in the literature was carried out. Our method presented a better, more cost-efficient rationale and displayed a significantly lower environmental impact. Furthermore, it was possible to verify the scalability of the process as well as the reutilization of the inorganic catalyst NaY (up to 6 times) without significant yield decrease. In addition, this method was applied to the synthesis of several other unsymmetrical porphyrins, from a low melting point porphyrin to mono-carboxylated halogenated unsymmetrical porphyrins, in yields higher than those found in the literature. Additionally, for the first time, two acetamide functionalized halogenated porphyrins were prepared in high yields. This methodology opens the way to the preparation of high yielding functionalized porphyrins, which can be easily immobilized for a variety of applications, either in catalysis or in biomedicine.

Synthesis of meso-substituted porphyrins using sustainable chemical processes

The easy access and low price of pyrrole and aldehydes, conjugated with the simplicity in preparing meso-substituted porphyrins, makes this type of porphyrins very attractive for a broad range of applications. However, there is an increasing demand for the development of new synthetic processes involving more sustainable chemical principles substituting, whenever possible, dangerous organic solvents by alternative solvents, chromatographic purifications by precipitations and energy-intensive procedures by alternative energy sources such as microwaves and ultrasounds. In this review we will address some recent strategies to synthesize meso-substituted porphyrins using alternative energy sources, reaction media and catalysts, namely microwave irradiation, water as solvent, or solid microporous acid catalysts.

Cost-efficient method for unsymmetrical meso-aryl porphyrins and iron oxide-porphyrin hybrids prepared thereof

Synthesis, characterisation and photophysical properties of magnetic iron oxide-porphyrin hybrids starting from unsymmetrical porphyrins, which are prepared by a cost-efficient methodology.

Ecofriendly porphyrin synthesis by using water under microwave irradiation

Water, under microwave irradiation and at a temperature of 473 K, reaches pressures above 16 bar, being capable to act as catalyst, without the use of organic solvents and oxidants, for meso-substituted porphyrin synthesis. Sustainability of the reaction is proved by E Factor=35 and EcoScale value of 50.5, the highest so far obtained for porphyrin synthesis. Methodology's wide versatility is clearly demonstrated by the good yields obtained for both aryl and alkyl substituted porphyrins. These reaction conditions represent a huge development, not only by using very high concentrations, minimizing organic solvent usage, but also by eradicating toxic expensive solvents and oxidants.

Iodine-catalyzed efficient synthesis of chalcones by grinding under solvent-free conditions

Chalcones are useful intermediates in organic synthesis and exhibit a large number of different biological activities. Chalcones have been synthesized in high yields by Claisen–Schmidt condensation of substituted acetophenones with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of 10 mol% of iodine at room temperature by grinding under solvent-free conditions.

Iodine catalysed synthesis of 5-(arylmethylidene)rhodanines by Grinding under Solvent-Free Conditions

5-(Arylmethylidene)rhodanines have been synthesised in 88–95% yields by Knoevenagel condensation of various aromatic aldehydes with rhodanine in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodine at room temperature by grinding under solvent-free conditions.