Photoproperties, PVP formulation and 19F NMR of a Zn phthalocyanine with 24 magnetically pseudo-equivalent fluorine atoms

Abstract

In an attempt to investigate its potential as a PDT F-19 MRI molecular theranostic, a Zn phthalocyanine with 24 pseudo-equivalent fluorine atoms was designed and prepared. Compared to its H analogues, the fluorinated derivative has a much higher generation of singlet oxygen. F-19 NMR signals in CDCl3 showed that all the fluorine atoms are magnetically pseudo-equivalent with only two close fluorine signals. Formulation in PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), a FDA-approved additive, enabled water-solubilization of the phthalocyanines but no satisfying F-19 NMR signal could be obtained, probably due to self-quenching caused by aggregation.