Structure-Activity Relationship of Benzophenazine Derivatives for Homogeneous and Heterogenized Photooxygenation Catalysis

Singlet oxygen is a powerful oxidant used in various applications, such as organic synthesis, medicine, and environmental remediation. Organic and inorganic photosensitizers are commonly used to generate this reactive species through energy transfer with the triplet ground state of oxygen. We describe here a series of novel benzophenazine derivatives as a promising class of photosensitizers for singlet oxygen photosensitization. In this study, we investigated the structure-activity relationship of these benzophenazine derivatives. Akin to a molecular compass, the southern fragment was first functionalized with either aromatic tertiary amines, alkyl tertiary amines, aromatic sulfur groups, alkyl sulfur groups, or cyclic ethers. Enhanced photophysical properties (in terms of triplet excited-state lifetime, absorption wavelength, triplet state energy, and O2 quenching capabilities) were obtained with cyclic ether and sulfur groups. Conversely, the presence of an amine moiety was detrimental to the photocatalysts. The western and northern fragments were also investigated and slightly undesirable to negligible changes in photophysical properties were observed. The most promising candidate was then immobilized on silica nanoparticles and its photoactivity was evaluated in the citronellol photooxidation reaction. A high NMR yield of 97 % in desired product was obtained, with only a slight decrease over several recycling runs (85 % in the fourth run). These results provide insights into the design of efficient photosensitizers for singlet oxygen generation and the development of heterogeneous systems.

One pot three component synthesis of DNA targeting phototoxic Ru(II)-p-cymene dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine analogues

We have developed a one pot three component synthetic protocol for half-sandwich Ru(II)-p-cymene dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine analogues for selective cancer therapy under light irradiation. On average, the cytotoxicity of all the complexes is indeed doubled upon light irradiation and also exhibited significant photo and dark selectivity against cancer cells with respect to normal cells. Out of five Ru(II) complexes (RuL1-RuL5), [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru^IICl(K²-N,N-11-nitrodipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine]PF₆ (RuL4) exhibited the best phototoxicity (lowest IC₅₀ under light irradiation). Intracellular ROS generation was studied by the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. Moreover, these complexes exhibited a strong serum albumin and DNA binding capacity. These complexes also exhibited good stability in 10% DMSO-buffer and under 1 mM GSH conditions. Overall, the remarkable photocytotoxic efficacy of new Ru(II)-p-cymene dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine analogues (RuL1-RuL5) makes them potential photochemotherapeutics as an alternative of current PDT agents.

A review on lawsone-based benzo[a]phenazin-5-ol: synthetic approaches and reactions

Phenazine systems are an important class of aza-polycyclic compounds that are easily found in nature and isolated as secondary metabolites primarily from Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and a few other genera from soil or marine habitats. Moreover, various synthetic phenazine analogs are known for their pharmaceutical activities. Among various phenazines, benzo[a]phenazines are structural subunits in a variety of important natural products and have been given special attention due to their unique biological properties in various fields. In this review article, we highlight the synthesis of benzo[a]phenazin-5-ol derivatives from lawsone and benzene-1,2-diamines and their applications for the construction of a variety of five and six membered fused heterocycles such as pyranophenazines, spiropyranophenazines, pyridophenazines, furophenazines, benzochromenophenazines and oxazinophenazines during the period of 1995 to 2021.

Synthesis and triplet sensitization of bis(arylselanyl)BOPHYs; potential application in triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion

Bis(arylselanyl)BOPHYs 1 and 2 were prepared as novel triplet photosensitizers, TTA-UC behavior of 1 with 9,10-diphenylanthracene being investigated.