Jinjun Wang

Synthesis, optical properties and preliminary in vitro photodynamic effect of pyridyl and quinoxalyl substituted chlorins.

A series of chlorophyll a-based chlorins conjugated with pyridyl or quinoxalyl group at different positions were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their photodynamic effect in vitro. It was found that all the pyridyl and quinoxalyl chlorins showed promising photocytotoxicities but nontoxic without irradiation in HeLa cells, and the substituted types and positions had a significant influence on the photocytotoxicities of the chlorophyll a-based chlorins. All the chlorins with a pyridyl group at the C-D ring end exhibited relatively high photocytotoxicity as compared to those with 3(2)-pyridyl. Among them, compound 12 conjugated with a pyridyl group at its C12 position showed the best photodynamic effect in HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 0.033μM. These facts, associated with the relative high long wavelength absorptions of those chlorins may provide valuable ways to design and prepare promising photosensitizers for application in photodynamic therapy.

Efficient synthesis and in vitro photodynamic anticancer study of new purpurinimide-hydrazone conjugates

A series of new purpurinimide-hydrazone conjugates were synthesized, and their in vitro anticancer efficacy against A549 lung cancer cell lines was evaluated. It was found that the incorporation of the hydrazone group to the purpurinimide could increase their anticancer activities via a combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.

Synthesis of long-wavelength chlorins by chemical modification for methyl pyropheophorbide-a and their in vitro cell viabilities

A series of novel chlorophyll-a homologs with long wavelength absorption were synthesized via modification of methyl pyropheophorbide-a used as starting material. For introducing electron-withdrawing group methylenemalononitrile moiety was established on the periphery of modified chlorin by Knoevenagel reaction of malononitrile with formyl group at 3-, 15-position and 131-carbonyl group on the exocyclic ring. All of chlorins containing the methylenemalononitrile structure show Qy-absorption at more than 700 nm. Moreover, we have examined a preliminary in vitro photodynamic anticancer effect of these new derivatives on mouse sarcoma S-180 cell line.

Synthesis of isoxazoline-linked chlorins and their in vitro cell viabilities

A concise synthesis of isoxazoline-linked chlorins is described. This approach is carried out from methyl pyropheophorbide-a as the starting material via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a vinyl group on the periphery with nitrile oxide to give regioselective products with excellent yields. This method represents an extensive and efficient entry into the functionalization of chlorins with a chlorophyll-α skeleton. Moreover, we have examined a preliminary in vitro effect of these new derivatives on mouse sarcoma S-180 cell line in photodynamic therapy.

Synthesis of purpurin-18 imide derivatives from chlorophyll-a and -b by modifications and functionalizations along their peripheries

The methyl pheophorbide-a and methyl pheophorbide-b were used as starting materials and converted to purpurin-18 ester by ring-opening and rearrangement reaction in their exocyclic ring. N-Substituted purpurin-18 imides were obtained from purpurin-18 ester through amidation reaction of six-membered cyclic anhydride. Further chemical modifications along their peripheries were carried out by a variety of common reactions, including electrophilic substitution, Wittig reaction, allomerization and Vilsmeier reaction, to afford the title compounds with long-wavelength absorption. The structures of all new chlorins were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis and 1H NMR spectra.

Regioselective reactions of methyl pyropheophorbide a with formaldehyde based on hydroxymethylation

Regioselective reactions of methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa) with formaldehyde based on hydroxymethylation have been studied. It was found that MPPa can react regioselectively with formaldehyde under different conditions to produce a series of 3-dioxane, 12-, 132- or 20-hydroxymethyl and 12-/132-alkenyl-substituted chlorins via Prins reaction, Blanc chloromethylation and aldol reaction, respectively. The first examples of direct C–C bond formation at 12-position of chlorophyll derivatives were also reported to give a series of 12-vinyl-substituted chlorins. These chlorins showed extend Qy absorptions and efficient singlet oxygen generation property, indicating their potential as photosensitizers for application in photodynamic therapy.

Synthesis of Chlorophyllous Chlorins Derivatives Substituted by Aromatic Groups on Their Periphery

Pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester, as a degraded product from chlorophyll-a, was used as a starting material, and the modifications for functional group along N-N-axis and reconstructions for five-membered exocyclic E-ring were completed to introduce different aromatic groups which could conjugated with macrocyclic chromophore at various degrees on the periphery. The syntheses of 12 unreported chlorins related to chlorophyll were accomplished and their chemical structures were characterized by elemental analysis, UV, IR, MS and H NMR spectra. The different effects on the physical and chemical properties of chlorophyllous chlorins by introduction of aromatic groups were discussed.

THE SYNTHESIS OF CHLOROPHYLL-A SKELETON HOMOLOGS BEARING LINEAR SIX-CARBON CHAIN FROM METHYL PHEOPHORBIDE-A

The synthesis of chlorins bearing 6C-straight chain was accomplished from methyl pheophorbide-a. A series of chemical modifications were employed for the construction of active functional groups, such as bromine atom or aldehyde group, on the periphery of chlorins. These functionalized chlorins further reacted with the reagent containing straight carbon-chain by common chemical reactions to produce target compounds. The structures of all new chlorins were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and 1H NMR spectra.