Amino acids substituted phthalocyanine complexes: An overview on the synthetic approaches and UV-vis properties related to photodynamic applications

Abstract

The photosensitizers with biologically active substituents such as amino acids feature one modern strategy to achieve the target-specific photodynamic therapy (PDT). The conjugations of metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) with amino acids or the related short peptides have been studied intensively with respect to PDT applications. The known MPcs with amino acids are recognized with membrane specificity in view of cell receptors or/and with electrostatic interactions based on the charge potential of membranes. This work aims to summarize at presently existing knowledge and our expertise in respect to synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of phthalocyanine complexes conjugated with amino acids for PDT applications. © 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.