Biocompatible fluorenylphthalocyanines for one- and two-photon photodynamic therapy and fluorescence imaging

The synthesis and the optical properties of a family new fluorenyl phthalocyanines substituted with water-solubilizing triethyleneglycol chains is described. These biocompatible molecules exhibit strong one- two-photon absorptions, together fluorescence photosensitization similar to those their lipophilic analogues, thus outperforming unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine in terms brightness singlet oxygen production. They were subsequently probed vitro on cancer cells under one excitation both imaging photodynamic therapy experiments. metal-free compound was shown be more promising than complex for theranostic applications.