Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with Externally Appended Pyridine Rings. 6. Chemical and Redox Properties and Highly Effective Photosensitizing Activity for Singlet Oxygen Production of Penta- and Monopalladated Complexes in Dimethylformamide Solution

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with Peripherally Appended Pyridine Rings. 19. Pentanuclear Octa(2-pyridyl)tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines Carrying Externally Carboranthiolate Groups: Physicochemical Properties and Potentialities as Anticancer Drugs

New pentanuclear porphyrazine complexes of formula [{Pd(CBT)₂}₄LM]· xH₂O (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato anion, CBT = m-carborane-1-thiolate, and M = Mg^II(H₂O), Zn^II, Pd^II) were prepared in good yield as dark green hydrated amorphous solids by reaction of the respective pentanuclear species [(PdCl₂)₄LM] with m-carboran-1-thiol in CH₃CN. Physicochemical characterization of the new species was carried out by elemental and thermogravimetric analysis along with IR and ¹H/¹³C NMR measurements. UV-vis spectral characterization performed in DMSO, DMF, and pyridine solution provided information about the stability of the new homo/heteropentanuclear species and their tendency to undergo detachment of the peripheral Pd(CBT)₂ groups. The data from NMR, UV-vis, and electrochemical experiments indicate that external coordination of the Pd(CBT)₂ units to the mononuclear [LM] species affects only slightly the π electron distribution within the internal macrocyclic choromophore. The Pd(CBT)₂ units are released in pyridine solution and in the case of the Zn^II complex [{Pd(CBT)₂}₄LZn] give rise to a finely crystalline light-yellow solid identified by single-crystal X-ray work as the trans isomer of the bispyridine adduct [py₂(CBT)₂Pd]. The new pentanuclear macrocyclic complexes behave in DMF solution as active photosensitizers for singlet oxygen production, ¹O₂, the cytotoxic agent in anticancer photodynamic therapy, and have larger quantum yield values (Φ_Δ = 0.6-0.7) than those found on average for the related tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine analogs (Φ_Δ = 0.4-0.6). The presence of the CBT groups in the currently investigated complexes opens up the possibility for their use in boron neutron capture therapy, leading potentially to new bimodal anticancer curative drugs.

Peripheral substitution as a tool for tuning electron-accepting properties of phthalocyanine analogs in intramolecular charge transfer

The intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), which is a pathway for excited state relaxation, was studied on the newly synthesized zinc(ii) complexes of tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines bearing one fixed donor (i.e., a dialkylamino substituent). The rest of the peripheral substituents on the core was designed with respect to their different electronic effects (OBu, neopentyl, StBu, COOBu). The photophysical (singlet oxygen and fluorescence quantum yields) and electrochemical (reduction potentials) properties were determined and compared within the series and with compounds that did not contain a donor moiety. The ICT efficiency correlated well with both the electron-deficient character of the core and the Hammett substituent constants σp. The most efficient ICT was observed for the core with the most electron-accepting substituent (COOBu), and the lowest ICT efficiency was detected for the least electron-deficient core (substituted by OBu). Titration of DMSO solutions of target compounds with H2SO4 indicated that basicity of the azomethine bridges was largely influenced by the character of the peripheral substituents while the dialkylamino donor center remained nearly unaffected. Furthermore, protonation of the donor nitrogen caused partial restoration of the fluorescence quantum yield (increase up to 90 times) due to blocking of ICT. The results implied that the ICT efficiency was strongly dependent on the electron-accepting properties of the core whose properties can be readily affected by suitable selection of peripheral substituents.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 16. A rare class of uncharged water soluble complexes: UV-vis spectral, redox, and photochemical properties

The synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a new class of water soluble homo/heteropentanuclear porphyrazine complexes are described. The investigated compounds, prepared from the previously reported mononuclear species [ LM ]⋅x H 2 O (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl) pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion; M = MgII ( H 2 O ), ZnII , CuII , CoII , PdII , PtII ; x = 3–8) in DMSO under mild experimental conditions, are represented as [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LM ]⋅x H 2 O (x = 11–22) and bear four Pd ( OAc )2 units, each externally coordinated at the vicinal pyridine N atoms of a single dipyridinopyrazine fragment of the porphyrazine macrocycle (py–py coordination). The newly synthesized compounds were examined by IR and magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state. Solution UV-visible spectral studies on all of the species were conducted in the low-donor organic solvents pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide and in the water medium, whereas electrochemical measurements were performed in these media in the presence of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (organic solvents) and KCl or NaOAc (water). Data on the photosensitizing activity for the generation of singlet oxygen, 1 O 2, of interest in photodynamic therapy, were also obtained in dimethylformammide solution on the compounds [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LM ]( M = MgII ( H 2 O ), ZnII , PdII , PtII ) and the measured ΦΔ values are presented and discussed. NMR spectral data on the complex [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LZn ] are also included and discussed.

Zinc(II) complexes of tetrakis-(6,7-quinoxalino)porphyrazine bearing externally appended 2-pyridyl rings: Synthesis, UV-visible spectral behavior and photoactivity for singlet oxygen generation

The synthesis and physicochemical properties of the Zn II complexes, [ Py 8 QxPzZn ]( Py 8 QxPz = tetra -2,3-[6,7-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxalino]porphyrazinato dianion), the corresponding octacation [(2- Mepy )8 QxPzZn ]8+ (neutralized by I - ions), and the heteropentanuclear complex [( PdCl 2)4 Py 8 QxPzZn ] are presented and discussed. According to their UV-visible spectral data in non aqueous solvents ( CHCl 3, pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide), the species exhibit intense absorptions in the Q-band region at 750–770 nm, in line with parallel spectral data observed for the free base [ Py 8 QxPzH 2], also reported, and the previously investigated Mg II complex [ Py 8 QxPzMg ( H 2 O )]. The observed Q-band position for this series of "quinoxalinoporphyrazine" macrocycles is about 100 nm to the red with respect to the position of the same absorption for the series of the already reported "pyrazinoporphyrazine" analogs. The spectral effects induced by the peripherally appended methyl-pyridinium groups in the octacation [(2- Mepy )8 QxPzZn ]8+ or by exocyclic coordination in the complex [( PdCl 2)4 Py 8 QxPzZn ] are also considered. Of the investigated Zn II complexes, [ Py 8 QxPzZn ] and the related octacation [(2- Mepy )8 QxPzZn ]8+ are active in dimethylformamide solution as singlet oxygen photosensitizers, which is of interest for applications in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings 14: UV-visible spectral and electrochemical behavior of homo/heterobinuclear neutral and hexacationic macrocycles

Detailed UV-visible, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies were carried out in DMSO on two known series of homo/heterobimetallic pyrazinoporphyrazine compounds, i.e.[( M′Cl 2) LM ] and [( PtCl 2)( CH 3)6 LM ]( I )6, where L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato anion, M = Zn II , Mg II ( H 2 O ) or Pd II and M′ = Pd II or Pt II . The [( M′Cl 2) LM ] compounds, as obtained from the mononuclear species [LM], undergo only subtle UV-visible spectral changes and exhibit practically unchanged half wave potentials for reduction; thus, peripheral coordination to the [LM] macrocycles of a single PdCl 2 or PtCl 2 unit at one of the external dipyridinopyrazine fragments only minimally disturbs the σ/π electronic distribution within the entire porphyrazine unit. In contrast, quaternization by CH 3 I of the six unligated pyridine N atoms of the species [( PtCl 2) LM ] leading to formation of the hexacations [( PtCl 2)( CH 3)6 LM ]6+ results in a significant bathochromic shift (5–15 nm) of the Q-band positions, thus suggesting an enhanced electron-withdrawing effect determined by an incremented displacement of the σ/π electronic system towards the periphery of the macrocycle. Accordingly, there is a facilitated thermodynamic uptake of electrons upon going from [( PtCl 2)( CH 3)6 LM ]6+ to [( PtCl 2)( CH 3)6 LM ] n (n = 5+ → 2+). Noteworthy, the UV-visible spectra of the salt-like species [( PtCl 2)( CH 3)6 LM ]( I )6 in water at c = 5 × 10-5 M ) indicate the presence of a monomer-dimer equilibrium, persistent even at very low concentrations (ca. 5 × 10-7 M).

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 12. New heteropentanuclear complexes carrying four exocyclic cis-platin-like functionalities as potential bimodal (PDT/cis-platin) anticancer agents

Heteropentanuclear porphyrazines having the formula [(PtCl2)4LM] where L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion and M = Zn(II), Mg(II)(H2O), Pd(II), Cu(II) or Co(II) were characterized by elemental analyses, IR-UV-visible spectroscopy and electrochemistry and the data compared to new and previously published results for the corresponding homopentanuclear compound [(PtCl2)4LPt]. This latter species has four external N2(py)PtCl2 coordination sites which closely resemble cis-platin, (NH3)2PtCl2, the potent chemotherapeutic anticancer drug, and is able to act as a photosensitizer for the generation of (1)O2, the cytotoxic agent in photodynamic therapy (PDT). UV-visible spectra and half wave potentials for reduction of [(PtCl2)4LM], [(PtCl2)4LPt], the parallel series of mononuclear [LM] compounds and the pentanuclear [(PdCl2)4LM] compounds were examined in the nonaqueous solvents dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine, and dimethylformamide. The complete set of available data indicate that external coordination of the PtCl2 and PdCl2 units significantly increases the level of the electron-deficiency of the entire molecular framework despite the fact that these groups are far away from the central porphyrazine π-ring system and have coordination sites nearly orthogonal to the plane of the macrocycle. The pentanuclear species [(M'Cl2)4LM] (M' = Pt(II), Pd(II)) undergo multiple one-electron transfers and exhibit an easier reducibility as compared to related electrode reactions of the parent compounds [LM] having the same central metal. Aggregation phenomena and reducibility of the porphyrazines to their monoanionic form (prevalently in DMF) are observed for some of the examined compounds and were analyzed and accurately taken into account. Quantum yields of (1)O2 (ΦΔ), of interest in PDT, were measured for [(PtCl2)4LM] with M = Zn(II), Mg(II)(H2O), or Pd(II) and the related macrocycles [(PdCl2)4LM] and [LM] in dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or DMF preacidified with HCl (DMF/HCl, [HCl]: 1-2 × 10(-4) M). Excellent ΦΔ values (0.5-0.6) which qualify the compounds as potent photosensitizers in PDT were obtained for the pentanuclear species having Zn(II) or Pd(II) as central metal ions. The [(PtCl2)4LZn] and [(PtCl2)4LPd] complexes are of special interest as potential bimodal anticancer agents because of the incorporated four cis-platin-like functionalities.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings: 11 Photoactivity of a new Pt(II) pentanuclear macrocycle bearing four cisplatin-like functionalities and its related monoplatinated species

The pentanuclear PtII porphyrazine compound [(PtCl2)4LPt] (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion), the mononuclear species [LPt] and the octacation [L′Pt]8+ (neutralized by I- ions; L′ = L octaquaternized at the pyridine N atoms) were synthesized and characterized by IR/UV-visible spectral measurements. 1H and 13C NMR spectral data on [(PtCl2)4 LPt] indicate that the four PtCl2 units are coordinated at the pyridine N atoms of the peripheral dipyridinopyrazine fragments ("py–py" coordination) and the largely prevalent conformational arrangement of the entire macrocycle, established to have the external N2(py)PtCl2 coordination sites all oriented on the same side with respect to the plane of the central porphyrazine framework, closely recalls that which was previously defined for the related PdII analog [(PdCl2)4LPd] . The currently investigated triad of PtII macrocycles, like the related PdII species, behave as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen, the cytotoxic agent active in photodynamic therapy (PDT). A bimodal anticancer potentiality is expressed by the pentaplatinated compound, [(PtCl2)4LPt] , which represents an unprecedented example of a multifunctional drug due to the presence of four contiguous cisplatin-like functionalities.

Synthesis, properties and in vitro photodynamic activity of water-soluble azaphthalocyanines and azanaphthalocyanines

In this work zinc azaphthalocyanines (AzaPcs) from the group of tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines and zinc azanaphthalocyanines from the group of tetra[6,7]quinoxalinoporphyrazines (TQP) with eight diethylaminoethylsulfanyl substituents were synthesized. Tertiary amines were later quaternized with ethyl iodide to obtain water-soluble photosensitizers (PSs). Quaternized compounds showed high singlet oxygen quantum yields as determined in DMF by monitoring decomposition of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. In water medium, quaternized AzaPc derivatives appeared in monomeric form in a wide range of concentrations while quaternized TQP derivatives showed aggregation at higher concentrations (over 1 microM). Photodynamic activity was tested on Hep2 cells using light of lambda > 640 nm. Both quaternized dyes showed high photodynamic activity (IC(50) = 104 and 220 nm for AzaPc and TQP, respectively). Dark toxicity was not detected even at the highest concentration used in in vitro tests (200 microM) which indicates a promising therapeutic index of these new substances. Tested compounds localized inside the cells mainly within the lysosomes thus suggesting an endocytic mechanism of cellular uptake. No localization within mitochondria was detected. A great advantage of TQP derivatives over other PSs is their very strong absorption at 747 nm that allows activation at wavelengths penetrating deeper into human tissues.