Supramolecular Assemblies of Functional Nanoporphyrins in Therapeutics

Abstract

New supramolecular systems have been assembled with the use of bridging unities such as tetrapyridylporphyrins, porphyrazines and polypyrazines. The assembly involves the orientation of the pi-conjugated rings, which are kept together by means of strong hydrophobic intermolecular interactions, as well as by the electrostatic interactions between the peripheral cationic and anionic residues. The porphyrins and ruthenium polypyridines are two classes of compounds exhibiting most of the above mentioned molecular properties. In the present study new cationic porphyrin as tetraruthenium (bipyridine)porphyrin (4+)(TRPyP) was synthesized and its association with anionic porphyrin (TSPP) forming heteroaggregates, is investigated. Potential applications in photodynamic therapy of cancer are discussed.