Synthesis and application of near-infrared absorbing morpholino-containing aza-BODIPYs

Morpholino-containing aza-BODIPYs at 3,5-positions were synthesized. The maxima absorption and emission of these dyes locate at the near-infrared region. Aza-BODIPY 1 with the morpholino group as a pH-sensitive functionality could be used to be a pH probe, and the dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity at 675 nm by about 1500 folds. Moreover, the singlet oxygen generation of PS 2 with the dibromo groups at 2,6-positions was more effective than that of the parent dye 1.     

Near-Infrared Photoactive Aza-BODIPY: Thermally Robust and Photostable Photosensitizer and Efficient Electron Donor

We report herein the synthesis of aza-BODIPY substituted with strongly electron-donating p-(diphenylamino)phenyl substituents (p-Ph₂N−) at 3,5-positions. The presence of p-Ph₂N− groups lowers the energy of the singlet excited state (E_s) to 1.48 eV and induces NIR absorption with λ_abs at 789 nm in THF. The compound studied is weakly emissive with the emission band (λ_f) at 837 nm and with the singlet lifetime (τ_S) equal to 100 ps. Nanosecond laser photolysis experiments of the aza-BODIPY in question revealed T₁→T_n absorption spanning from ca. 350–550 nm with the triplet lifetime (τ_T) equal to 21 μs. By introducing a heavy atom (Br) into the structure of the aza-BODIPY, we managed to turn it into a NIR operating photosensitizer. The photosensitized oxygenation of the model compound–diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF)-proceedes via Type I and/or Type III mechanism without formation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂). As estimated by CV/DPV measurements, the p-Ph₂N− substituted aza-BODIPYs studied exhibits oxidation processes at relatively low oxidation potentials (E_ox¹), pointing to the very good electron-donating properties of these molecules. Extremely high photostability and thermal robustness up to approximately 300 °C are observed for the p-Ph₂N− substituted aza-BODIPYs.     

Use of Wittig reaction for the synthesis of conjugated Aza-BODIPYs and their spectral and electrochemical properties

The 2-formyl 1,3,5,7-tetraaryl aza-BODIPY and 2-formyl-6-bromo 1,3,5,7-tetraaryl aza-BODIPY were subjected to Wittig reaction with three different ylides under simple reaction conditions and afforded the conjugated aza-BODIPYs in high yields. The aza-BODIPYconjugates resulted from 2-formyl-6-bromo aza-BODIPYs were reacted further with 4-anisyl boronic acid under mild Pd(0) coupling conditions and afforded 1,2,3,5,7-pentaaryl aza-BODIPYconjugates. The method works efficiently and allows to introduce different substituents at the aza-BODIPY core. All compounds were characterized by HRMS, 1D, 2D NMR, absorption, fluorescence and electrochemical techniques. The spectral and electrochemical studies indicated that the introduction of conjugated substituents at the aza-BODIPY core alter the electronic properties significantly.     

Synthesis of furan-substituted aza-BODIPYs having near-infrared emission

Development of near-infrared-emissive aza-boron dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY) derivatives having furanyl groups is reported. From the optical measurements, it was clearly indicated that the emission bands were presented in the longer wavelength region than those of the conventional aza-BODIPYs. The emission bands with the peaks at 730 nm and 758 nm were observed from the bis- and tetra-substituted furanyl aza-BODIPYs with similar extents of emission efficiencies, respectively. According to the computer calculations, it was proposed that molecular planarity could be enhanced in the case of the furan groups. As a result, band-gap energy could be lowered comparing to those of the conventional benzene and thiophene-substituted aza-BODIPYs.     

1,7-Di-tert-butyl-Substituted aza-BODIPYs by Low-Barrier Rotation to Enhance a Photothermal-Photodynamic Effect

1,7-Di-tert-butyl-substituted aza-BODIPYs ( tBu-azaBDP ) were successfully obtained for the first time. The structures of tBu-azaBDP and Ph-azaBDP were confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis, and tBu-azaBDP 2 is more twisted than Ph-azaBDP 5. tBu-azaBDP s have significant photo-stability and enhanced water solubility. tBu-azaBDP s possess excellent optical properties, such as high molar extinction coefficients, broad full width half maxima, and large Stokes shifts, which is comparable to those of the parent dye Ph-azaBDP . Although the low-barrier rotation of the distal -tBu groups in tBu-azaBDP s results in low quantum yield, photothermal conversion efficiency and singlet oxygen generation ability of tBu-azaBDP s are more effective than those of Ph-azaBDP , which is highly desirable for a photothermal-photodynamic therapy agent.     

Tuning photosensitized singlet oxygen generation efficiency of novel aza-BODIPY dyes

Novel aza-BODIPY derivatives substituted with heavy atoms such as bromine and iodine were synthesized, and their triplet and singlet oxygen generation efficiencies have been investigated. These derivatives showed absorption in the NIR region with high molar extinction coefficients. The dye substituted with four iodine atoms showed yields of Φ(T) = 0.78 and Φ((1)O(2)) = 0.70, which are the highest values so far obtained for the aza-BODIPY derivatives.     

Synthesis,Photophysics and Redox Properties of Aza-BODIPY Dyes with Electron-Donating Groups

A series of novel aza-BODIPY dyes substituted with p-(dimethylamino)phenyl groups were synthesized and their spectral and electrochemical properties were compared. In particular, the impact of p-(Me₂N)Ph- groups on these characteristics was of consideration. For two aza-BODIPYs studied, a near-IR absorption band was observed at circa λ_abs=796 nm. Due to the pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) exerted by the presence of strongly electron-donating p-(Me₂N)Ph- substituents, the compounds studied were weakly emissive with the singlet lifetimes (τ_S) in the picosecond range. Nanosecond laser photolysis experiments of the brominated aza-BODIPYs revealed T₁→T_n absorption spanning from ca. 350 nm to ca. 550 nm with the triplet lifetimes (τ_T) ranged between 6.0 μs and 8.5 μs. The optical properties of the aza-BODIPYs studied were pH-sensitive. Upon protonation of the dimethylamino groups with trifluoroacetic acid in toluene, a stepwise disappearance of the NIR absorption band at λ_abs=790 nm was observed with the concomitant appearance of a blue-shifted absorption band at λ_abs=652 nm, which was accompanied by a prominent emission band at λ_fl=680 nm. The transformation from a non-emissive to an emissive compound is associated with the inhibition of the ICT. As estimated by CV/DPV measurements, all aza-BODIPYs studied exhibited two irreversible oxidation and two quasi-reversible reduction processes. All compounds studied exhibit extremely high photostability and thermal stability.     

Benzothiadiazole-Substituted Aza-BODIPY Dyes: Two-Photon Absorption Enhancement for Improved Optical Limiting Performances in the Short-Wave IR Range

Aza-boron dipyrromethenes (aza-BODIPYs) presenting a benzothiadiazole substitution on upper positions are described. The strong electron-withdrawing effect of the benzothiadiazole moiety permits enhancement of the accepting strength and improves the delocalization of the aza-BODIPY core to attain a significant degree of electronic communication between the lower donating groups and the upper accepting groups. The nature of the intramolecular charge transfer is studied both experimentally and theoretically. Linear spectroscopy highlighted the strongly redshifted absorption and emission of the synthesized molecules with recorded fluorescence spectra over 1000 nm. Nonlinear optical properties were also investigated. Strong enhancement of the two-photon absorption of the substituted dyes compared with the unsubstituted one (up to 4520 GM at 1300 nm) results in an approximately 15–20 % improvement of the optical power limiting performances. These dyes are therefore a good starting point for further improvement of optical power limiting in the short-wave IR range.     

Cyclophanes of perylene tetracarboxylic diimide with different substituents at bay positions

Cyclophanes of perylene tetracarboxylic diimides (PDIs) with different substituents at the bay positions, namely four phenoxy groups at the 1,7-positions (1), four piperidinyl groups at the 1,7-positions (2), and eight phenoxy groups at the 1,6,7,12-positions (3) of the two PDI rings, have been synthesized by the condensation of perylene dianhydride with amine in a dilute solution. These novel cyclophanes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The conformational isomers of cyclophanes substituted with four piperidinyl groups at the 1,7-positions (2 a and 2 b) were successfully separated by preparative TLC. The main absorption band of the cyclophanes shifts significantly to the higher energy side in comparison with their monomeric counterparts, which indicates significant pi-pi interaction between the PDI units in the cyclophanes. Nevertheless, both the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of the cyclophanes were found to change along with the number and nature of the side groups at the bay positions of the PDI ring. Time-dependent DFT calculations on the conformational isomers 2 a and 2 b reproduce well their experimental electronic absorption spectra. Electrochemical studies reveal that the first oxidation and reduction potentials of the PDI ring in the cyclophanes increase significantly compared with those of the corresponding monomeric counterparts, in line with the change in the energy of the HOMO and LUMO according to the theoretical calculations.     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer‐based Halogen‐free Photosensitizers: Covalent meso‐Aryl (Phenyl,Naphthyl, Anthryl,and Pyrenyl) as Electron Donors to Effectively Induce the Formation of the Excited Triplet State and Singlet Oxygen for BODIPY Compounds

Pristine BODIPY compounds have negligible efficiency to generate the excited triplet state and singlet oxygen. In this report, we show that attaching a good electron donor to the BODIPY core can lead to singlet oxygen formation with up to 58 % quantum efficiency. For this purpose, BODIPYs with meso ‐aryl groups (phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, and pyrenyl) were synthesized and characterized. The fluorescence, excited triplet state, and singlet oxygen formation properties for these compounds were measured in various solvents by UV/Vis absorption, steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence methods, as well as laser flash photolysis technique. In particular, the presence of anthryl and pyrenyl showed substantial enhancement on the singlet oxygen formation ability of BODIPY with up to 58 % and 34 % quantum efficiency, respectively, owing to their stronger electron‐donating ability. Upon the increase in singlet oxygen formation, the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime values of the aryl‐BODIPY showed a concomitant decrease. The increase in solvent polarity enhances the singlet oxygen generation but decreases the fluorescence quantum yield. The results are explained by the presence of intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from the aryl moiety to BODIPY core. This method of promoting T₁ formation is very different from the traditional heavy atom effect by I, Br, or transition metal atoms. This type of novel photosensitizers may find important applications in organic oxygenation reactions and photodynamic therapy of tumors.     

Near-infrared absorbing (>700 nm) aza-BODIPYs by freezing the rotation of the aryl groups

The typical aza-BODIPYs in the dye family are known for bright fluorescence, excellent stability, and tunable absorption wavelengths. Hence, these dyes are attracting the increasing attention. Aza-BODIPYs having the maxima absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region (650–900 nm) are very favorable for bioimaging in vivo due to the less photo-damage, deeper tissue penetration, and less interference from background auto-fluorescence by biomolecules in the living systems. Many strategies have been employed to modify the structures of the aza-BODIPY core to provide the NIR absorbing dyes. Among these, the most effective method is the fusion of the aromatic rings in aza-BODIPY system. This review allsidedly summarizes the recent development of ring-fused aza-BODIPY dyes (λ_abs > 700 nm) focusing on the design, synthesis, and potential applications in the NIR region since 2002.     

Enantiopure lanthanide complexes incorporating a tetraazatriphenylene sensitiser and three naphthyl groups: exciton coupling,intramolecular energy transfer,efficient singlet oxygen formation and perturbation by DNA binding

In cationic nine-coordinate chiral terbium and europium complexes incorporating exciton-coupled naphthyl groups and a tetraazatriphenylene sensitising chromophore, efficient intramolecular energy transfer occurs leading to population of the naphthyl triplet state. With the terbium complex, the absolute quantum yield of singlet oxygen formation is 51% (lambda(exc) 355 nm), and for the Eu complex the intensity of metal-based emission increases by up to 350% on binding to poly(dGdC) or calf-thymus DNA, and was greater for the delta-isomer.     

Synthesis, primary photophysical and antibacterial properties of naphthyl ester cinoxacin and nalidixic acid derivatives

We have synthesized two naphthyl ester quinolone derivates and determined their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (1)O(2), ()OH, H(2)O(2) upon photolysis with UV-A light. The ability of cinoxacin (1) and nalidixic acid (2), and their naphthyl ester derivatives (3 and 4) to generate a dose-dependent amount of singlet oxygen and ROS (()(-)O(2), ()OH) in cell-free systems was detected by histidine assay and by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL), respectively. Their electronic absorption and emission spectra were quantified and their photostability was determined. Their tendency to generate peroxidic derivative species showed the following order: 3>4; in contrast, their ability to generate singlet oxygen was 4>3 and these were better sensitizers than their parent quinolones 1 and 2. The antibacterial activity in darkness and under irradiation of compounds 3 and 4 was tested on Escherichia coli and compared with that of their parent compounds. An enhanced antibacterial activity by irradiation of the naphthyl esters of cinoxacin and nalidixic acid on E. coli was observed.     

Synthesis and energy-transfer properties of poly(amidoamine) dendrons modified with naphthyl and dansyl groups

Poly(amidoamine) dendrons of 1-3 generations with naphthyl groups at the periphery and a dansyl group at the focal point were synthesized and carefully characterized. Intramolecular energy-transfer properties of these flexible aliphatic-scaffold light-harvesting dendrons were investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Efficient energy transfer from the naphthyl groups to the dansyl group occurred for both the first and the second generation dendrons (the energy-transfer efficiency was 94.3% and 76.9%, respectively), whereas the third generation dendron exhibited a low energy-transfer efficiency of 17.8%. The average donor-acceptor distances between the naphthyl and dansyl groups were calculated for different generation dendrons. Different degrees of the backfolding of dendritic branches were used to interpret the different donor-acceptor distances.     

The heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of propylene in the presence of singlet oxygen in the reaction mixture

Three methods for the introduction of singlet oxygen into the reaction mixture were tested, including thermal generation of singlet oxygen on the catalyst itself, the introduction of singlet oxygen from an external source, and photogeneration of singlet oxygen on the catalyst. Zeolites with admixtures of Mo, Bi, V, and Ni and SiO₂ with deposited Mo, V, and Bi were used. Common to all reactions was an increase in the yield of deep oxidation products in the presence of singlet oxygen. A sharp increase in the yield of mild oxidation products was observed in the oxidation of propylene on a Bi/SiO₂ catalyst. The generation of singlet oxygen under irradiation at 240–260 nm was found to cause deep oxidation only. Mild oxidation products could only form under the action of total mercury lamp light.     

Theoretical and experimental analysis of the luminescence signal of singlet oxygen for different photosensitizers

After the generation by different photosensitizers, the direct detection of singlet oxygen is performed by measuring its luminescence at 1270 nm. Using an infrared sensitive photomultiplier, the complete rise and decay time of singlet oxygen luminescence is measured at different concentrations of a photosensitizer, quencher, or oxygen. This allows the extraction of important information about the photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen and its decay, in particular at different oxygen concentrations. Based on theoretical considerations all important relaxation rates and rate constants were determined for the triplet T(1) states of the photosensitizers and for singlet oxygen. In particular, depending on the oxygen or quencher concentration, the rise or the decay time of the luminescence signal exhibit different meanings regarding the lifetime of singlet oxygen or triplet T(1)-state. To compare with theory, singlet oxygen was generated by nine different photosensitizers dissolved in either H2O, D2O or EtOD. When using H2O as solvent, the decaying part of the luminescence signal is frequently not the lifetime of singlet oxygen, in particular at low oxygen concentration. Since cells show low oxygen concentrations, this must have an impact when looking at singlet oxygen detection in vitro or in vivo.     

Extremely Photostable Electron-Deficient Phthalocyanines that Generate High Levels of Singlet Oxygen

A robust lead-mediated synthetic procedure for the generation of phthalocyanines substituted with electron-withdrawing groups has been developed. The free-base phthalocyanine and various metal complexes were prepared without discernible degradation of the peripheral electron-withdrawing substituents. Upon irradiation with red light, some of the thus-obtained metal complexes generated high levels of singlet oxygen. In particular, a palladium complex exhibited attractive photostability upon exposure to singlet oxygen as a bleaching agent. The photostability of such complexes that may manifest concomitantly to the generation of high levels of singlet oxygen was attributed to the presence of the electron-withdrawing groups, which results in energetically low-lying highest occupied molecular orbitals.     

PHOTOACTIVATION OF HYPERICIN GENERATES SINGLET OXYGEN IN MITOCHONDRIA AND INHIBITS SUCCINOXIDASE

Photosensitized inhibition of mitochondrial succinoxidase by hypericin was measured in vitro and found to be drug-dose, light-dose, and wavelength dependent. Singlet oxygen generation, monitored using the singlet oxygen trap tetramethylethylene, and oxygen consumption in isolated mitochondria sensitized by hypericin were also light-dose and wavelength dependent. Unequivocal evidence for the generation of singlet oxygen was obtained using kinetic isotope ratios of products from the reaction between singlet oxygen and geminally deuterated tetramethylethylene. An action spectrum for the inhibition of succinoxidase was measured at wavelengths between 400 and 700 nm and found to parallel the recorded visible absorption spectrum of hypericin in isolated mitochondria. The greatest singlet oxygen generation, oxygen consumption, and succinoxidase inhibition occurred with white light or 600 nm irradiation. These data are consistent with a type II singlet-oxygen-mediated mechanism for hypericin induced photosensitized inhibition of mitochondrial succinoxidase.     

几种萘酞菁硅配合物的光动力效应的研究

研究了7种轴向配位的萘酞菁硅配合物的激发态性质、产生单重态氧的能力及对几种氨基酸的光敏氧化能力.研究表明,对于相同浓度的不同配合物来说,随着轴向配位基团推电子能力的逐渐增强,激发三重态寿命降低,产生单重态氧的能力逐渐下降,而产生单重态氧的能力是光敏氧化氨基酸反应速率的决定因素,因此,其光敏氧化氨基酸的一级反应速率常数逐渐减小.     

Regioselective stepwise bromination of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes

Halogenated BODIPYs are important synthetic precursors and potential sensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Electrophilic bromination of pyrrolic-unsubstituted BODIPYs using bromine regioselectively generated mono- to heptabromoBODIPYs in a stepwise fashion in good to excellent yields. These resultant bromoBODIPYs were applied for regioselective substitution and Suzuki coupling reaction to generate BODIPYs 4, 5, 6, and 7 in good to excellent yields. According to NMR and X-ray analysis results, the stepwise bromination first takes place at 2,6-, then at 3,5-, and eventually at 1,7-positions, whereas the regioselective substitution occurs first at 3,5- then at 1,7-positions of the chromophore. The spectroscopic properties of these resultant BODIPYs were studied, which shows the potential application of these bromoBODIPYs as sensitizers for PDT.