Synthesis and antibacterial study of 10, 15, 20-triphenyl-5-{4-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonium)methyl}phenylporphyrin as models for combination of porphyrin and alkylating agent

10, 15, 20-Triphenyl-5-{4-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonium)methyl}phenylporphyrin 4 and its zinc complex 5 have been synthesized and antibacterial activities have been studied for 4 and its derivative. Compound 4 showed stronger inhibition than that of 10, 15, 20-triphenyl-5-{4-hydroxy-3-(dimethylamine)methyl}phenylporphyrin (2) and 10, 15, 20-triphenyl-5-{4-methoxy-3-(trimethylammonium)methyl}phenylporphyrin (6). It is possible that antibacterial activity of compound 4 involved in photoinducing both o-quinone methide intermediate and singlet oxygen formation.