Influence of N atom number and form on the photodynamic activities of zinc phthalocyanines

Amino group modified phthalocyanines (Pcs) and their derivatives have attracted great attention in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of their satisfied anticancer activity. The existence of N atoms in these Pcs is very important because they not only provide water solubility of Pcs, but also greatly affect their PDT activity. To clear the influence of N atoms number on PDT activity of amino group modified Pcs and their derivatives, in this manuscript, two series of amine modified Pcs with different N atom number and their water soluble derivatives, hydrochloride and quaternizing derivatives were synthesized. Their photochemical and photobiology properties were studied and compared. The results indicated that with increasing the number on N atom, the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) generation ability, cancer cell uptaken ability and photoinduced anticancer activity were all increased in these ZnPcs.