Effects of Light Energy and Reducing Agents on C60‐Mediated Photosensitizing Reactions

Many biomolecules contain photoactive reducing agents, such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and 6‐thioguanine (6‐TG) incorporated into DNA through drug metabolism. These reducing agents may produce reactive oxygen species under UVA irradiation or act as electron donors in various media. The interactions of C₆₀ fullerenes with biological reductants and light energy, especially via the Type‐I electron‐transfer mechanism, are not fully understood although these factors are often involved in toxicity assessments. The two reductants employed in this work were NADH for aqueous solutions and 6‐TG for organic solvents. Using steady‐state photolysis and electrochemical techniques, we showed that under visible light irradiation, the presence of reducing agents enhanced C₆₀‐mediated Type‐I reactions that generate superoxide anion (O₂^.?) at the expense of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) production. The quantum yield of O₂^.? production upon visible light irradiation of C₆₀ is estimated below 0.2 in dipolar aprotic media, indicating that the majority of triplet C₆₀ deactivate via Type‐II pathway. Upon UVA irradiation, however, both C₆₀ and NADH undergo photochemical reactions to produce O₂^.?, which could lead to a possible synergistic toxicity effects. C₆₀ photosensitization via Type‐I pathway is not observed in the absence of reducing agents.     

Potential Involvement of Both Type I and Type II Mechanisms in M13 Virus Inactivation by Methylene Blue Photosensitization

We have investigated the mechanism of virus photoinactivation with methylene blue (MB) by conducting deuterium oxide (D₂O), azide ion (N₃^-) and oxygen-dependent, studies. Inactivation of M13 bacteriophage and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation by MB photosensitization were irradiation dose dependent. Inactivation of M13 was enhanced by D₂O and inhibited by N₃^-, suggesting that ¹O₂ participates in M13 inactivation by MB photosensitization. However, N₃^- did not inhibit M13 inactivation completely. On the other hand, deoxygenating the reaction solution still caused 52-67% of M13 inactivation observed in the presence of oxygen. These results suggest that ¹0₂-mediated (Type II) and sensitizer-mediated (Type I) reactions may both play roles in M13 inactivation by MB photosensitization.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS. XVIII. INDOMETHACIN

Abstract— The photochemistry, photophysics, and photosensitization (Type I and II) of indomethacin (IN) (N-[p-chlorobenzoyl]-5-methoxy-2-methylindole-3-acetic acid) has been studied in a variety of solvents using NMR, high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy, transient spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance in conjunction with the spin trapping technique, and the direct detection of singlet molecular oxygen (^l O₂) luminescence. Photodecomposition of IN (λ_ex > 330 nm) in degassed or air-saturated benzene proceeds rapidly to yield a major (2; N-[p-chlorobenzoyl]-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-methylene-indoline) and a minor (3; N-[p-chlorobenzoyl]-5-methoxy-2, 3-dimethyl-indole) decarboxylated product and a minor indoline (5; 1-en-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-methylene-in-doline), which is formed by loss of the p-chlorobenzoyl moiety. In air-saturated solvents two minor oxidized products 4 (N-[p-chlorobenzoyl]-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-aldehyde) and 6 (5-methoxy-2-methyl-indole-3-aldehyde) are also formed. When photolysis was carried out in ¹⁸O₂-saturated benzene, the oxidized products 4 and 6 contained ¹⁸O, indicating that oxidation was mediated by dissolved oxygen in the solvent. In more polar solvents such as acetonitrile or ethanol, photodecomposition is extremely slow and inefficient. Phosphorescence of IN at 77 K shows strong solvent dependence and its emission is greatly reduced as polarity of solvent is increased. Flash excitation of IN in degassed ethanol or acetonitrile produces no transients. A weak transient is observed at 375 nm in degassed benzene, which is not quenched by oxygen. Irradiation of IN (λ_ex > 325 nm) in N₂-gassed C₆H₆ in the presence of 5, 5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) results in the trapping of two carbon-centered radicals by DMPO. One adduct was identified as DMPO/^.COC₆H₄-p-CI, while the other was probably derived from a radical formed during IN decarboxylation. In air-saturated benzene, (hydro) peroxyl and alkoxyl radical adducts of DMPO are observed. A very weak luminescence signal from ¹O₂ at 1268 nm is observed initially upon irradiation (λ_ex= 325 nm) of IN in air-saturated benzene or chloroform. The intensity of this ¹O₂ signal increases as irradiation is continued suggesting that the enhancement in ¹O₂ yield is due to photoproduct(s). Accordingly, when 2 and 3 were tested directly, 2 was found to be a much better sensitizer of ¹O₂ than IN. In air-saturated ethanol or acetonitrile no IN ¹O₂ luminescence is detected even on continuous irradiation. The inability of IN to cause phototoxicity may be related to its photo stability in polar solvents, coupled with the low yield of active oxygen species (¹O₂, O₂^?_-) upon UV irradiation.     

Determination of the quantum yield of singlet oxygen sensitized by halogenated boron difluoride dipyrromethenes

The spectral–luminescent, photophysical, and photochemical properties of dichloro-, dibromo-, and diiodo-derivatives of boron dipyrromethenate (BODIPY) have been studied, as well as the feasibility of generating singlet oxygen (¹O₂) via its photosensitization by the dihalogenated derivatives of BF₂ dipyrromethene in solutions. Quantum yields of singlet oxygen have been determined using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran as the ¹O₂ trap. The lowest fluorescence quantum yields have been shown to correspond to the maximum yields of singlet oxygen. It has been found that the best ¹O₂ photosensitizer among the three test dihalotetraphenylaza- BODIPY is dibromotetraphenylaza-BODIPY, which in addition possesses the highest photostability. Diiodotetramethyl-BODIPY results in the singlet oxygen yield close to unity, but it has significantly lower photostability. The yield of singlet oxygen is affected by the solvent. Dibromtetraphenylaza-BODIPY and diiodotetramethyl-BODIPY may find use as a medium in photodynamic therapy and photocatalysis of oxidation reactions.     

Photosensitized Oxidation of Tetrabromobisphenol A by Humic Acid in Aqueous Solution†

The brominated flame retardant 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) may accumulate in the environment, including surface waters, and degrade there to potentially toxic products. We have previously shown that singlet oxygen (¹O₂), produced by irradiation of rose bengal with visible light, oxidizes Triton X‐100‐solubilized TBBPA to yield the 2,6‐dibromo‐p‐benzosemiquinone anion radical while consuming oxygen (Environ. Sci. Technol. 42 , 166, 2008). Here, we report that a similar ¹ O ₂ ‐induced oxidation can be initiated in aqueous solutions by the irradiation of TBBPA dissolved in a humic acid (HA) solution. HA is a known weak ¹ O ₂ photosensitizer and we indeed detected the infrared ¹ O ₂ phosphorescence from HA preparations in D ₂ O. When an aqueous preparation of HA was irradiated (λ > 400 nm) in the presence of TBBPA, oxygen was consumed, and the 2,6‐dibromo‐ p ‐benzosemiquinone anion radical was generated and detected using electron paramagnetic resonance. Radical formation and oxygen consumption were inhibited by sodium azide, a singlet oxygen quencher. Our results suggest that solar radiation, in the presence of HA, may play an important role in the photodegradation of TBBPA in the aquatic environment.     

Production of reactive oxygen species induced by a new [60]fullerene derivative bearing a tetrazole unit and its possible biological applications

The wide range of physical and chemical properties of modified fullerenes has drawn increasing attention in the past few years. As part of this research, this paper describes the preparation, characterization, and photophysical properties of a new fullerene derivative chemically modified with a tetrazole. The photophysical properties were studied by EPR radical spin-trapping technique and showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be produced through UVA photosensitization. EPR spin-trapping experiments with singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide (O₂⁻) inhibitors (β-carotene and superoxide dismutase, respectively) revealed also that: (i) the main ROS produced is ¹O₂ and (ii) ¹O₂ is being partially dismutated to O₂⁻. The results suggest that this derivative can be used in biological applications, as for example, in topic photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a photosensitizer.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Crystalline Salts with Radical Anions of Metal‐Containing and Metal‐Free Phthalocyanines

Radical anion salts of metal‐containing and metal‐free phthalocyanines [MPc(3?)]^.?, where M=Cu^II, Ni^II, H₂, Sn^II, Pb^II, Ti^IVO, and V^IVO ( 1 – 10 ) with tetraalkylammonium cations have been obtained as single crystals by phthalocyanine reduction with sodium fluorenone ketyl. Their formation is accompanied by the Pc ligand reduction and affects the molecular structure of metal phthalocyanine radical anions as well as their optical and magnetic properties. Radical anions are characterized by the alternation of short and long C?N_imine bonds in the Pc ligand owing to the disruption of its aromaticity. Salts 1 – 10 show new bands at 833–1041 nm in the NIR range, whereas the Q‐ and Soret bands are blue‐shifted by 0.13–0.25 eV (38‐92 nm) and 0.04–0.07 eV (4–13 nm), respectively. Radical anions with Ni^II, Sn^II, Pb^II, and Ti^IVO have S=1/2 spin state, whereas [Cu^IIPc(3?)]^.? and [V^IVOPc(3?)]^.? containing paramagnetic Cu^II and V^IVO have two S=1/2 spins per radical anion. Central metal atoms strongly affect EPR spectra of phthalocyanine radical anions. Instead of narrow EPR signals characteristic of metal‐free phthalocyanine radical anions [H₂Pc(3?)]^.? (linewidth of 0.08–0.24 mT), broad EPR signals are manifested (linewidth of 2–70 mT) with g‐factors and linewidths that are strongly temperature‐dependent. Salt 11 containing the [Na^IPc(2?)]^? anions as well as previously studied [Fe^IPc(2?)]^? and [Co^IPc(2?)]^? anions that are formed without reduction of the Pc ligand do not show changes in molecular structure or optical and magnetic properties characteristic of [MPc(3?)]^.? in 1 – 10 .     

Decacyclene Radical Anions Showing Strong Low‐energy Intramolecular Absorption and Magnetic Coupling of Spins in a Hexagonal Network

Two salts of the aromatic hydrocarbon decacyclene, {cryptand[2.2.2](Cs⁺)} (decacyclene^.?) ( 1 ) and {Bu₃MeP⁺}(decacyclene^.?) ( 2 ), were obtained. In both salts, decacyclene^.? radical anions formed channels occupied by cations. However, corrugated hexagonal decacyclene^.? layers could be outlined in the crystal structure of 1 with several side‐by‐side C???C approaches. The decacyclene^.? radical anions showed strong distortion in both salts, deviating from the C₃ symmetry owing to the repulsion of closely arranged hydrogen atoms and the Jahn‐Teller effect. Radical anions showed intense unusually low energy absorption in the IR‐range, with maxima at 4800 and 6000 cm^?1. According to the carculations, these bands can originate from the SOMO‐LUMO+1 and SOMO‐LUMO+2 transitions, respectively. Radical anions exhibited a S=1/2 spin state, with an effective magnetic moment of 1.72 μ_B at 300 K. The decacyclene^.? spin antiferromagnetically coupled with a Weiss temperature of ?11 K. Spin ordering was not observed down to 1.9 K owing to spin frustration in the hexagonal decacyclene^.? layers.     

Excitation-Wavelength-Dependent Functionalities of Temporally Controlled Sensing and Generation of Singlet Oxygen by a Photoexcited State Engineered Rhodamine 6G-Anthracene Conjugate

The present study provides design guidance for unique multipotent molecules that sense and generate singlet oxygen (¹O₂). A rhodamine 6G-aminomethylanthracene-linked donor-acceptor molecule ( RA ) is designed and synthesized for demonstrating wavelength-dependent functionalities as follows; (i) RA acts as a conventional fluorogenic ¹O₂ sensor molecule like the commercially available reagent, singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG), when it absorbs ultraviolet (UV)-visible light and reacts with ¹O₂. (ii) RA acts as a temporally controlled ¹O₂ sensing reagent under the longer wavelength (∼700 nm) photosensitization. RA enters an intermediate state after capturing ¹O₂ and does not become strongly fluorescent until it is exposed to UV, blue, or green light. (iii) RA acts as an efficient photosensitizer to generate ¹O₂ under green light illumination. The spin-orbit charge transfer mediated intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) process achieves this function, and RA shows a potential cancer-killing effect on pancreatic cancer cells. The wavelength-switchable functionalities in RA offer to promise molecular tools to apply ¹O₂ in a spatiotemporal manner.     

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE VISIBLE LIGHT PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF GILVOCARCINS V and M

Quantum yields for the formation of superoxide ions, O₂^?1, and singlet oxygen, ¹O₂, were determined during the photolyses of gilvocarcin M (GM) in air-saturated dry dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and in 45:55 (vol/vol) DMSO-water mixtures. The quantum yield for the photoreduction of methyl viologen by GM in nitrogen-saturated dry DMSO was also determined. These values are not different, within experimental error, from those corresponding to gilvocarcin V (GV). Because GV is a strong photocytotoxic agent and GM is not, these results imply that Type I and Type II mechanisms are not important pathways in the cytotoxicity of GV.     

Magnetic Coupling and Optical Properties of the S6‐Dodecakis(trifluoromethyl)fullerene Radical Anions in the Layered Salt (PPN+)[C60(CF3)12.−]

Poly(trifluoromethyl)fullerene S₆‐C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂ was reduced by sodium fluorenone ketyl in the presence of (PPN)Cl (PPN=bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium) to afford the salt (PPN)[C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂] ( 1 ), which contains C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.? radical anions. In the crystal structure of 1 , C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.? layers alternate with the PPN⁺ cations. There are short F ??? F contacts between C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.? radical anions within the layers but no C ??? C contacts. DFT calculations revealed that the negative charge on C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.? is distributed mainly between sp² carbon and fluorine atoms, whereas spin density is localized mainly on the fullerene‐cage sp² carbon atoms. IR and UV/Vis/NIR spectra in the solid state and solution showed characteristic changes relative to those of neutral S₆‐C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂ due to the formation of radical anions. The solid‐state electronic spectrum of 1 exhibits a single broad band at 738 nm attributed to C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.?. Crystals of 1 show a narrow EPR signal with g=2.0025 (ΔH=0.45 mT) at 300 K. The temperature dependence of the integral intensity follows the Curie–Weiss law with a negative Weiss temperature of ?11.8 K (30–300 K) indicating antiferromagnetic interaction of spins. This dependence was approximated by the Heisenberg model for one‐dimensional chains of antiferromagnetically interacting spins with exchange interaction J/k_B=?9.1 K. It was assumed that magnetic interaction between the C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂^.? spins in the layers is mediated by short F ??? F contacts.     

Smartphone‐coupled Electrochemical Analysis of Cellular Superoxide Anions Based on Mnx(PO4)y Monolayer Modified Porous Carbon

Here we established a palm‐sized electrochemical sensor for the determination of cell‐released superoxide anions (O₂^.?) based on a self‐developed portable potentiostat (xenSTAT) which can perform fast analysis with visual real‐time data and customizable parameters. The xenSTAT was equipped with Bluetooth and USB interfaces, thus being able to be connected with both smartphones and computers for electrochemical analysis. A novel Nanozyme based on Mn_x(PO₄)_y monolayer modified porous carbon cubic was synthesized and used as functional material on the surface of working electrode. By using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry, xenSTAT was demonstrated to exhibit satisfying sensitivity and excellent stability for real‐time monitoring of O₂^.? released from cancer cells. With decreased cost, customizable development, small size and convenient usage, the xenSTAT described in this work could promote the commercialization and widespread of in‐house built electrochemical sensors for the monitoring of O₂^.? in the future.     

Photoexcitation of aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: an electron spin resonance spin trapping study of potentially oxidative reactions

It is well‐established that exposure of aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles to ultraviolet A (UVA) light produces reactive oxygen species which leads to biological damage. However, there is disagreement in the literature as to the exact nature of these species and how they are formed. Using a number of different spin traps (i.e. PBN, POBN, DMPO, DEPMPO), we have shown that the primary damaging species produced on irradiation of an aqueous suspension of TiO₂ is the hydroxyl radical, which is formed at the valence band hole under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Hydroxyl radical production is enhanced by the presence of oxygen which probably reacts with the conduction band electrons or resultant Ti³⁺, inhibiting hole‐electron recombination, although we find no evidence of reaction of oxygen to form free superoxide radical anions or of the formation of any other radical at that site. The present results suggest that the resulting O₂ ^?? species may not be as labile as previously thought and may possibly undergo further reduction to the O ₂ ^2? dianion. Hydroxyl radicals formed at the surface of the TiO ₂ readily react with substrates containing an abstractable hydrogen to produce secondary radicals that, in biological systems, could lead to cell damage.     

Photosynthetic Tumor Oxygenation by Photosensitizer‐Containing Cyanobacteria for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Sustained tumor oxygenation is of critical importance during type‐II photodynamic therapy (PDT), which depends on the intratumoral oxygen level for the generation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, the modification of photosynthetic cyanobacteria with the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (ce6) to form ce6‐integrated photosensitive cells, termed ceCyan, is reported. Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, sustained photosynthetic O₂ evolution by the cyanobacteria and the immediate generation of reactive singlet oxygen species (¹O₂) by the integrated photosensitizer could be almost simultaneously achieved for tumor therapy using type‐II PDT both in vitro and in vivo. This work contributes a conceptual while practical paradigm for biocompatible and effective PDT using hybrid microorganisms, displaying a bright future in clinical PDT by microbiotic nanomedicine.     

Photosynthetic Tumor Oxygenation by Photosensitizer-Containing Cyanobacteria for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Sustained tumor oxygenation is of critical importance during type-II photodynamic therapy (PDT), which depends on the intratumoral oxygen level for the generation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, the modification of photosynthetic cyanobacteria with the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (ce6) to form ce6-integrated photosensitive cells, termed ceCyan, is reported. Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, sustained photosynthetic O₂ evolution by the cyanobacteria and the immediate generation of reactive singlet oxygen species (¹O₂) by the integrated photosensitizer could be almost simultaneously achieved for tumor therapy using type-II PDT both in vitro and in vivo. This work contributes a conceptual while practical paradigm for biocompatible and effective PDT using hybrid microorganisms, displaying a bright future in clinical PDT by microbiotic nanomedicine.     

A Study of the Uptake of Toluidine Blue O by Porphyromonas gingivalis and the Mechanism of Lethal Photosensitization

The purpose of the study was to determine the distribution of the photosensitizer toluidine blue O (TBO) within Porphyromonas gingivalis and the possible mechanism(s) involved in the lethal photosensitization of this organism. The distribution of TBO was determined by incubating P. gingivalis with tritiated TBO (³H-TBO) and fractionating the cells into outer membrane (OM), plasma membrane (PM), cytoplasmic proteins, other cytoplasmic constituents and DNA. The percentage of TBO in each of the fractions was found to be, 86.7, 5.4, 1.9, 5.7 and 0.3%, respectively. The involvement of cytotoxic species in the lethal photosensitization induced by light from a helium-neon (HeNe) laser and TBO was investigated by using deuterium oxide (D₂O), which prolongs the lifetime of singlet oxygen, and the free radical and singlet oxygen scavenger L-tryptophan. There were 9.0 log₁₀ and 2 log₁₀ reductions in the presence of D₂O and H₂O (saline solutions), respectively, at a light dose of 0.44 J (energy density = 0.22 J/cm²), suggesting the involvement of singlet oxygen. Decreased kills were attained in the presence of increasing concentrations of L-tryptophan. The effect of lethal photosensitization on whole cell proteins was determined by measuring tryptophan fluorescence, which decreased by 30% using 4.3 J (energy density = 4.3 J/ cm²) of light. Effects on the OM and PM proteins were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There was evidence of change in the molecular masses of several PM proteins and OM proteins compared to controls. There was evidence of damage to the DNA obtained from irradiated cells. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that there was coaggre-gation of P. gingivalis cells when sensitized and then exposed to laser light. These results suggest that lethal photosensitization of P. gingivalis may involve changes in OM and/or PM proteins and DNA damage mediated by singlet oxygen.     

A Reversible Electron Relay to Exclude Sacrificial Electron Donors in the Photocatalytic Oxygen Atom Transfer Reaction with O2 in Water

Using light energy and O₂ for the direct chemical oxidation of organic substrates is a major challenge. A limitation is the use of sacrificial electron donors to activate O₂ by reductive quenching of the photosensitizer, generating undesirable side products. A reversible electron acceptor, methyl viologen, can act as electron shuttle to oxidatively quench the photosensitizer, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, generating the highly oxidized chromophore and the powerful reductant methyl‐viologen radical MV^+.. MV^+. can then reduce an iron(III) catalyst to the iron(II) form and concomitantly O₂ to O₂^.? in an aqueous medium to generate an active iron(III)‐(hydro)peroxo species. The oxidized photosensitizer is reset to its ground state by oxidizing an alkene substrate to an alkenyl radical cation. Closing the loop, the reaction of the iron reactive intermediate with the substrate or its radical cation leads to the formation of two oxygenated compounds, the diol and the aldehyde following two different pathways.     

On the Mechanism of Action of Fullerene Derivatives in Superoxide Dismutation

We have studied the mechanism of the antioxidant activity of C₆₀ derivatives at the BP86/TZP level with inclusion of solvent effects (DMSO) by using the COSMO approach. The reaction studied here involves degradation of the biologically relevant superoxide radical (O₂^.?), which is linked to tissue damage in several human disorders. Several fullerene derivatives have experimentally been shown to be protective in cell culture and animal models of injury, but precisely how these compounds protect biological systems is still unknown. We have investigated the activity of tris‐malonyl C₆₀ (also called C₃), which efficiently removes the superoxide anion with an activity in the range of several biologically effective, metal‐containing superoxide dismutase mimetics. The antioxidant properties of C₃ are attributed to the high affinity of C₆₀ to accept electrons. Our results show that once the superoxide radical is in contact with the surface of C₃, its unpaired electron is transferred to the fullerene. This process, which converts the damaging O₂^.? to neutral oxygen O₂, is the rate‐determining step of the reaction. Afterwards, another superoxide radical reacts with C₃^.? to form hydrogen peroxide and in the process takes up the additional electron that was transferred in the first step. The overall process is clearly exothermic and, in general, involves reaction steps with relatively low activation barriers. The capability of C₃ to degrade a highly reactive oxygen species that is linked to several human diseases is of immediate interest for future applications in the field of biology and medicine.     

Synthesis of halide anion‐doped bismuth terephthalate hybrids for organic pollutant removal

Halide anion‐doped bismuth terephthalate hybrids were synthesized using a facile solvothermal method. Four series of hybrids doped with halide anions X^? (F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and I^?) were produced by varying the molar ratios (n) of X^? relative to Bi(NO₃)₃ (n = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) in dimethylformamide solution. The results indicated that 0.25 equiv. of different halide anion‐doped bismuth terephthalate hybrids, especially BiBDC‐Cl(0.25) and BiBDC‐Br(0.25), exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light and UV light irradiation. They also exhibited excellent adsorption performance for Rhodamine B which could be attributed to high surface areas and negative charge on the surface of the catalysts. Moreover, the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation is a photosensitization process and ^?O₂^? is the most important active species. The halide anion‐doped bismuth terephthalate hybrids are promising photocatalysts for removal of organic pollutants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intracellular Modulation of Excited‐State Dynamics in a Chromophore Dyad: Differential Enhancement of Photocytotoxicity Targeting Cancer Cells

The photosensitized generation of reactive oxygen species, and particularly of singlet oxygen [O₂(a¹Δ_g)], is the essence of photodynamic action exploited in photodynamic therapy. The ability to switch singlet oxygen generation on/off would be highly valuable, especially when it is linked to a cancer‐related cellular parameter. Building on recent findings related to intersystem crossing efficiency, we designed a dimeric BODIPY dye with reduced symmetry, which is ineffective as a photosensitizer unless it is activated by a reaction with intracellular glutathione (GSH). The reaction alters the properties of both the ground and excited states, consequently enabling the efficient generation of singlet oxygen. Remarkably, the designed photosensitizer can discriminate between different concentrations of GSH in normal and cancer cells and thus remains inefficient as a photosensitizer inside a normal cell while being transformed into a lethal singlet oxygen source in cancer cells. This is the first demonstration of such a difference in the intracellular activity of a photosensitizer.