Sujuan Pan

Effect of axial ligands on the photophysical properties of new silicon(IV) phthalocyanines

A series of axial di-substituted silicon(IV) phthalocyanines with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing properties were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR, and ESI-MS. The effect of axial ligands on the photophysical properties of silicon phthalocyanines was studied by UV/Vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic analyses. Compared with silicon phthalocyanines with electron-donating properties, silicon phthalocyanines with electron-withdrawing properties could expand the π-conjugation in the dyes, resulting in a redshift of Q bands, lower fluorescence emission intensity and fluorescence quantum yields, but increasing fluorescence lifetimes. These results strongly suggest that the molecular design of phthalocyanines is essential for construction of photoactive materials.

Benzophenone and zinc(II) phthalocyanine dichromophores-labeled poly (aryl ether) dendrimer: synthesis, characterization and photoinduced energy transfer

Abstract A series of benzophenone chromospheres and zinc(II) phthalocyanine dichromophores labeled poly (aryl benzyl ether) dendrimer (Gn-DZnPc(BP)8n, n = 1−2) were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR, UV–vis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Their photophysical properties were examined by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. Both the poly (aryl benzyl ether) dendrimer and BP terminal chromophores had a significant effect on photophysical properties of the zinc(II) phthalocyanine core. Time-resolved spectroscopic measurements indicated that the lifetime of benzophenone (donor) chromophore was longer than that of the zinc(II) phthalocyanine (acceptor). The fluorescence of the peripheral benzophenone chromophores was quenched by the phthalocyanine group attached to the focal point. All of these observations suggest that an intramolecular singlet energy transfer occurs in Gn-DZnPc(BP)8n molecules. The light-harvesting abilities of these molecules increased with generations due to an increase in the number of benzophenone chromophores. The energy transfer efficiencies were ca. 0.49 and 0.68 for generations 1 and 2, respectively, and the rate constants of the singlet-singlet energy transfer were ca. 108 s−1. The rate constants changed inconspicuously with increase of dendron generations. The intramolecular singlet-singlet energy transfer is proposed to proceed mainly via a Förster-type interaction mechanism involving the dendrimer backbone as a scaffold to hold the peripheral benzophenone chromophores and the phthalocyanine core together. This dendrimer was an effective new energy transmission complex with high efficiency and could be used as a potential light-harvesting system.

Photophysical property of a polymeric nanoparticle loaded with an aryl benzyl ester silicon (IV) phthalocyanine

Because of their excellent near-infrared (NIR) optical properties, phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been regarded as promising therapy agents for fluorescence image-guided drug delivery and noninvasive treatment of tumors by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nevertheless, phthalocyanines are substantially limited in clinical applications owing to their poor solubility, aggregation and insufficient selectivity for cancer cells. To address these issues, we have developed a novel dendrimer-based theranostic nanoparticle for tumor-targeted delivery of phthalocyanine. The preparation procedure involved the modification of the silicon (IV) phthalocyanine molecule with a dendritic axially substitution, which significantly enhances their photophysical property. In order to improve biocompatibility and tumor-targeted delivery, the hydrophobic dendritic phthalocyanine was encapsulated by diblock amphiphilic copolymer poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (Epsilon-caprolactone) (MPEG-PCL) to form a polymeric nanoparticle. The polymeric nanoparticle is spherical with a diameter at about 90 nm. The photophysical property of the polymeric nanoparticle was studied by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Compared with the free dendritic phthalocyanine, the Q band of the polymeric nanoparticle was red-shifted, and the fluorescence intensity decreased. Furthermore, the polymeric nanoparticle has a relatively high loading amount and encapsulation rate. Therefore, the polymeric nanoparticle would be a promising third-generation photosensitizer (PS) for PDT.

The effect of the triblock properties on the morphologies and photophysical properties of nanoparticle loaded with carboxylic dendrimer phthalocyanine

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging alternative treatment for various cancers and age-related macular degeneration. Phthalocyanines (Pcs) and their substituted derivatives are under intensive investigation as the second generation photosensitizers. A big challenge for the application of Pcs is poor solubility and limited accumulation in the tumor tissues, which severely reduced its PDT efficacy. Nano-delivery systems such as polymeric micelles are promising tools for increasing the solubility and improving delivery efficiency of Pcs for PDT application. In this paper, nanoparticles of amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(L-lysine)-b-poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine) were developed to encapsulate 1-2 generation carboxylic poly (benzyl aryl ether) dendrimer. The morphologies and photophysical properties of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with 1-2 generation dendritic phthalocyanines (G1-ZnPc(COOH)8/m and G2-ZnPc(COOH)16/m) were studied by AFM, UV/Vis and fluorescent spectroscopic method. The morphologies of self-assembled PLL-PEG-PLL aggregates exhibited concentration dependence. Its morphologies changed from cocoon-like to spheral. The diameters of G1-ZnPc(COOH)8/m and G2-ZnPc(COOH)16/m were in the range of 33-147 nm, increasing with the increase of the concentration of PLL-PEG-PLL. The morphologies of G2-ZnPc(COOH)16/m also changed from cocoon-like to sphere with the increase of the concentration of PLL-PEG-PLL. It was found that, the no obviously Q change was observed between the free phthalocyanines and nanoparticles. The fluorescence intensity of polymer nanoparticles were higher enhanced compared with free dendritic phthalocyanines. The dendrimer phthalocyanine loaded with poly(L-lysine)-b-poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine) presented suitable physical stability, improved photophysical properties suggesting it may be considered as a promising formulation for PDT.

The effect of axial ligands on the quantum yield of singlet oxygen of new silicon phthalocyanine

The singlet oxygen (1O2) production abilitity is an important factor to assess their potential as effective of photosensitizers. In this paper, the 1O2 production rate, production rate constant and quantum yield of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine axially bearing 1-3 generation dendritic substituents were evaluated by a high performance liquid chromatographic method. The results show that the 1O2 production rate and production rate constant of these compounds increase gradually with dendritic generations increase. And the 1O2 quantum yield of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine with first generation dendritic ligand was the highest. This may be due to the isolation effect of the dendritic ligands on the phthalocyanine core. The parameters of the observed 1O2 production properties will provide valuable data for these dendrimer phthalocyanines as promising photosensitizer in PDT application.

The effect of metal ions on the photophysical and photochemical property of phenylthio bromo metal phthalocyanines

Phthalocyanines have attracted great attention because of their applications in material science including electro-optical devices, electrochromic display, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. In addition, the Pcs exhibit great flexibility of chemical structure modification enabled by either peripheral substituents or metal ions co-ordination to central cavity of highly conjugated tetrapyrrolic macrocycles. However, because of the hydrophobic nature of the phthalocyanine ring, Pcs have strong tendency to aggregate in solution, which limited their applications. To overcome this problem, the introduction of dendritic wedge to peripheral positions of phthalocyanines can prevent the formation of aggregation to some extent. The preparation procedure involved the modification of the zinc (II) and magnesium (II) phthalocyanines with peripherally dendritic substitutions. The photophysical and photochemical properties of dendritic phthalocyanines were studied by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Compared with the magnesium (II) phthalocyanine, the intensity of Q band of zinc (II) phthalocyanine was increased but no obviously position changes was observed. Furthermore, the zinc (II) phthalocyanine exhibited relatively higher fluorescence intensity than the magnesium (II) phthalocyanine. The fluorescence quantum yield and lifetimes of magnesium (II) phthalocyanine was clearly longer than that of zinc (II) phthalocyanine. As the better photosensitizer, the zinc (II) phthalocyanine has higher singlet oxygen quantum yield owning superior performance. This results indicated that the singlet oxygen quantum yield would be effected by the nature of metal ions.

Photophysical property of the pyridyl and pyrimidinyloxy silicon (IV) phthalocyanines and their morphology of polymeric nanoparticles

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are extensively studied by many scientists because of their interesting optical, electrical properties, and good thermal stability. The unsubstituted Pcs can present solubility and aggregation behaviour problems for their limiting applications. In our study two pyridyl and pyrimidinyloxy silicon (IV) phthalocyanines were synthesized. Their photophysical properties were examined by UV-Vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The positions of Q band were observed at 670 nm for two phthalocyanines. Compared with silicon phthalocyanine dichloride (SiPcCl2), the fluorescence intensities and lifetimes of pyridyl and pyrimidinyloxy silicon (IV) phthalocyanines increased. In order to improve biocompatibility and tumor-targeted delivery, the hydrophobic dendritic phthalocyanine were encapsulated by diblock amphiphilic copolymer poly (N’-benzyl oxygen carbonyl lysine)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (N’-benzyl oxygen carbonyl lysine) (PLL(Z)-PEG-PLL(Z)) to form the polymeric nanoparticles. The morphology of two nanoparticles were investigated by using atomic force microscope. The polymeric nanoparticles were spherical with the diameter at about 35 nm. The polymeric nanoparticle SiPc(OR2)2@PLL(Z)-PEG-PLL(Z) would be the promising third-generation photosensitizer (PS) for photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Photoinduced electron transfer between benzyloxy dendrimer phthalocyanine and benzoquinone

Photo-induced electron transfer (PET) is an important and fundamental process in natural photosynthesis. To mimic such interesting PET process, a suitable donor and acceptor couple were properly chosen. Dendrimer phthalocyanines and their derivatives have emerged as promising materials for artificial photosynthesis systems. In this paper, the electron transfer between the light harvest dendrimer phthalocyanine (donor) and the 1,4-benzoquinone (acceptor) was studied by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. It was found that fluorescence of phthalocyanine was quenched by benzoquinone (BQ) via excited state electron transfer, from the phthalocyanine to the BQ upon excitation at 610 nm. The Stern–Volmer constant (KSV) of electron transfer was calculated. Our study suggests that this dendritic phthalocyanine is an effective new electron donor and transmission complex and could be used as a potential artificial photosynthesis system.

Photophysical properties of catechol axially substituted tetra-[alpha]-(pentyloxy) titanium (IV) phthalocyanine

Metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) have been found to be a promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancers and non-cancer diseases. Nevertheless, phthalocyanines are substantially limited in clinical applications owing to their poor solubility, aggregation and insufficient selectivity for cancer cells. Catechol is an important pharmaceutical intermediate, playing important in vivo biological activity in medicine. Using catechol (pyrocatechin) as axial ligands, utilizing of the pharmaceutical effect of catechins, could improve the bioavailability, and achieve synergistic therapeutic effect in PDT. To address these issues, a novel catechol axially substituted tetra-α-(pentyloxy) titanium(IV) (TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol) was synthesized. The structure of TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1HNMR and MS methods. The photophysical properties of TiPc(OC5H11)4 and TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol have been studied by UV/Vis and steady-state fluorescence spectra. After being axially substituted with catechin groups, no obviously intensity and position of maximum wavelength in Q-band of TiPc(OC5H11)4 and TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol were observed. The fluorescence intensity of TiPc(OC5H11)4 was stronger than that of TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol, but the fluorescence lifetime of TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol was longer than that of TiPc(OC5H11)4. TiPc(OC5H11)4-Catechol may be considered as a promising photosensitizer for PDT.