Introduction of an electron-donating meso-diarylamino group into a porphyrin core affords its broadened and red-shifted absorption and raises the HOMO level of the porphyrin. In this regard, porphyrins with multiple meso-diarylamino groups are expected to show unique optical and electrochemcial properties depending on the number of the meso-diarylamino groups. Herein, we report a series of porphyrins with a different number of the meso-diarylamino groups. They were prepared by the iodine(III)-mediated oxidative amination reaction of the corresponding meso-free porphyrins. With increasing the number of the meso-diarylamino groups, both red shifts and broadening in the absorption and negative shifts in the oxidation potential were observed. Notably, the oxidation potential of the porphyrin with four meso-diarylamino groups is comparable to that of tetrathiafulvalene, which is one of representative electron donors, suggesting the potential utility of multiply meso-aminated porphyrins as hole-transporting materials and as electron donors forming charge-transfer complexes with electron acceptors. We believe that this study sheds light on porphyrins with multiple electron-donating groups as organic functional materials.
For the first time, ruthenium-based assemblies have been used as carriers for photosensitizers in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by photodynamic therapy (PDT). These metallacages are totally soluble in physiological media and can transport photosensitizers (PS) in their cavity. After an incubation period, the PS is released in the cytoplasm and irradiation can take place. This strategy allows photosensitizers with low or null solubility in biological media to be evaluated as PDT agents in rheumatoid arthritis. The systems in which 21H,23H-porphine and 29H,31H-phthalocyanine are encapsulated show excellent photocytotoxicity and no toxicity in the dark. On the other hand, systems in which metalated derivatives such as Mg(II)-porphine and Zn(II)-phthalocyanine are used show good photocytotoxicity, but to a lesser extent than the previous two. Furthermore, the presence of Zn(II)-phthalocyanine significantly increases the toxicity of the system. Overall, fifteen different host–guest systems have been evaluated, and based on the results obtained, they show high potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis by PDT.