Synthesis and Photodynamic Action of Diphenyl-2,3-dihydroxychlorin: a Potential Tumor Photosensitizer

The synthesis, photophysical properties of diphenyl-2,3-dihydroxychlorin (DPCOH) and its photocytotoxicity to tumor cells are described. DPCOH exhibits photodynamic activity in terms of type I and type II mechanisms under irradiation. The quantum yield of 1O2 in CHCl3 is 0.7. For the photocytotoxicity to tumor cells, DPCOH proved to be 200 times more potent than HPD, and the dark toxicity is low (dark IC90>32 μg/mL).