Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Photodynamic Activity of Novel Amphiphilic Zinc(II) Phthalocyanines Bearing Oxyethylene-Rich Substituents

Abstract

Three novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines substituted with one or two 3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-trioxadecoxy)benzoxy group(s) have been prepared and spectroscopically characterized. These compounds are highly soluble and remain nonaggregated in 𝑁,𝑁-dimethylformamide. Upon excitation, they exhibit a relatively weak fluorescence emission and high efficiency to generate singlet oxygen compared with the unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine. These amphiphilic photosensitizers formulated with Cremophor EL are highly photocytotoxic against HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells. The mono-𝛼-substituted analogue 4 is particularly potent with IC₅₀ values as low as 0.02 𝜇M. The higher photodynamic activity of this compound can be attributed to its lower aggregation tendency in the culture media as shown by absorption spectroscopy and higher cellular uptake as suggested by the stronger intracellular fluorescence, resulting in a higher efficiency to generate reactive oxygen species inside the cells.

1. Introduction

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising modality for the treatment of malignant tumors and wet age-related macular degeneration [1–3]. It is a binary therapy that involves the combination of visible light and a photosensitizer. Each component is harmless by itself, but in combination with molecular oxygen, they result in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing oxidative cellular and tissue damage. This treatment has several potential advantages including its minimally invasive nature, tolerance of repeated doses, and high specificity that can be achieved through precise application of the light with modern fiber-optic systems and various types of endoscopy [3]. Currently, only a few porphyrin derivatives including porfimer sodium, temoporfin, and verteporfin are clinically approved for systemic administration. These compounds, though giving a positive response in a high percentage of patients, still have various deficiencies that demand a further development of better candidates [4]. Owing to the desirable electronic absorption and photophysical properties, phthalocyanines are one of the most promising classes of candidates for this application [5]. Over the last few years, we have been interested in rational modification of this class of functional dyes with the goal of enhancing their PDT efficiency. Several new series of silicon(IV) and zinc(II) phthalocyanines have been synthesized and evaluated for their photo-physical and biological properties; see [6] and the references. As the amphiphilicity of photosensitizers is believed to have a beneficial effect on their photodynamic activity [7], amphiphilic phthalocyanines have been our targets. In this paper, we report the synthesis, photophysical properties, and in vitro photodynamic activity of three novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines bearing one or two 3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-trioxadecoxy)benzoxy substituent(s). Having three or six triethylene glycol chains on one side of the macrocycle, these compounds are amphiphilic in nature, exhibiting a high in vitro photocytotoxicity.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. General

All the reactions were performed under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Tetrahydrofuran (THF), 𝑛-pentanol, dichloromethane, and 𝑁,𝑁-dimethylformamide (DMF) were distilled from sodium benzophenone ketyl, sodium, calcium hydride, and barium oxide, respectively. Chromatographic purifications were performed on silica gel (Macherey-Nagel, 70–230 mesh) columns with the indicated eluents. Size exclusion chromatography was carried out on Bio-Rad Bio-Beads S-X1 beads (200–400 mesh). All other solvents and reagents were of reagent grade and used as received. Compounds 1 and 6 were prepared as described [8].

¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DPX 300 spectrometer (¹H, 300; ¹³C, 75.4 MHz) in CDCl₃ or DMSO-d₆. Spectra were referenced internally using the residual solvent [¹H: CDCl₃ (𝛿 7.26); DMSO-d₆ (𝛿 2.50)] or solvent [¹³C: CDCl₃ (𝛿 77.0); DMSO-d₆ (𝛿 39.7)] resonances relative to SiMe₄. Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra were measured on a Thermo Finnigan MAT 95 XL mass spectrometer.

UV-Vis and steady-state fluorescence spectra were taken on a Cary 5G UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer and a Hitachi F-4500 spectrofluorometer, respectively. Fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_F) were determined by the equation: Φ_F(sample)=(𝐹_sample/𝐹_ref)(𝐴_ref/𝐴_sample)(𝑛_sample²/𝑛_ref²)Φ_F(ref) [9], where 𝐹,𝐴, and 𝑛 are the measured fluorescence (area under the emission peak), the absorbance at the excitation position (610 nm), and the refractive index of the solvent, respectively. The unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in DMF was used as the reference [Φ_F(ref)=0.28] [10]. To minimize reabsorption of radiation by the ground-state species, the emission spectra were obtained in very dilute solutions where the absorbance at 610 nm was less than 0.03. Singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) were measured in DMF by the method of chemical quenching of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) using ZnPc as reference (Φ_Δ=0.56) [11].

2.2. Syntheses

2.2.1. Preparation of 3-[3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-Trioxadecoxy)Benzoxy]Phthalonitrile (2)

To a mixture of 3-nitrophthalonitrile (1.73 g, 10 mmol) and compound 1 (2.97 g, 5 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) was added anhydrous K₂CO₃ (6.90 g, 50 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 80^°C for 4 days. The solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was mixed with CHCl₃ (60 mL) and water (60 mL). The aqueous layer was separated and extracted with CHCl₃ (60 mL ×3). The combined organic layers was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, then evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by silica-gel column chromatography using CHCl₃/MeOH (60 : 1 v/v) as eluent to give compound 2 as a colorless liquid (1.41 g, 39%). ¹H NMR: 𝛿 7.61 (vt, 𝐽 = 8.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.37 (d, 𝐽 = 7.5 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.25 (d, 𝐽 = 7.5 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 6.66 (s, 2 H, ArH), 5.17 (s, 2 H, ArCH₂), 4.13–4.18 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.85 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.79 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 3.70–3.74 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.62–3.68 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.53–3.57 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.37 (two partially overlapping s, 9 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (DMSO-d₆): 𝛿 160.9, 152.4, 137.7, 136.0, 130.7, 126.2, 119.3, 116.0, 115.6, 113.9, 107.1, 103.6, 72.0, 71.5, 71.2, 70.2, 70.0, 69.9, 69.8, 69.1, 68.5, 58.2 (some of the CH₂ signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/z 743 {100%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₃₆H₅₂N₂NaO₁₃[M + Na]⁺: 743.3362, found 743.3365.

2.2.2. Preparation of 4-[3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-Trioxadecoxy)Benzoxy]Phthalonitrile (3)

According to the above procedure using 4- instead of 3-nitrophthalonitrile as a starting material, compound 3 was obtained as a colorless liquid (1.71 g, 47%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 𝛿 7.70 (d, 𝐽 = 8.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.31 (d, 𝐽 = 2.4 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.22 (dd, 𝐽 = 2.4, 8.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 6.60 (s, 2 H, ArH), 5.02 (s, 2 H, ArCH₂), 4.11–4.15 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.82 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.76 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 3.68–3.71 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.60–3.65 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.50–3.53 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.34 (s, 9 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): 𝛿 161.5, 152.9, 138.7, 135.2, 129.7, 120.0, 119.6, 117.3, 115.5, 115.1, 107.5, 107.2, 72.2, 71.8, 71.0, 70.7, 70.6, 70.4, 69.6, 68.9, 58.9 (some of the CH₂ signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/𝑧 743 {100%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₃₆H₅₂N₂NaO₁₃[M + Na]⁺: 743.3362, found 743.3361.

2.2.3. Preparation of Phthalocyanine (4)

A mixture of phthalonitrile 2 (0.26 g, 0.36 mmol), unsubstituted phthalonitrile (0.46 g, 3.59 mmol), and Zn(OAc)₂· 2H₂O (0.22 g, 1.00 mmol) in 𝑛-pentanol (15 mL) was heated to 100^°C, then a small amount of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) (0.5 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at 140–150^°C for 24 hours After a brief cooling, the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CHCl₃ (120 mL), then filtered to remove part of the unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine formed. The filtrate was collected and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica-gel column chromatography using CHCl₃/CH₃OH (30 : 1 v/v) as eluent, followed by size exclusion chromatography using THF as eluent. The crude product was further purified by recrystallization from a mixture of THF and hexane (0.11 g, 26%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃ with a trace amount of pyridine-d₅): 𝛿 9.41–9.46 (m, 5 H, Pc-H_𝛼), 9.16 (d, 𝐽 = 7.5 Hz, 1 H, Pc-H_𝛼), 9.13 (d, 𝐽 = 6.9 Hz, 1 H, Pc-H_𝛼), 8.07–8.15 (m, 7 H, Pc-H_β), 7.69 (d, 𝐽 = 7.8 Hz, 1 H, Pc-H_β), 7.30 (s, 2 H, ArH), 5.80 (s, 2 H, ArCH₂), 4.31 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 4.19 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.90 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 3.78–3.82 (m, 2H, CH₂), 3.66–3.75 (m, 8 H, CH₂), 3.55–3.59 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.47–3.51 (m, 8 H, CH₂), 3.38–3.41 (m, 7 H, CH₂ and CH₃), 3.24 (s, 6 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (DMSO-d₆): 𝛿 155.6, 152.7, 152.6, 152.3, 152.2, 140.3, 138.4, 137.9, 137.7, 137.6, 133.5, 130.6, 129.1, 125.3, 122.5, 122.4, 122.1, 115.3, 114.0, 107.8, 72.3, 71.6, 71.5, 71.0, 70.2, 70.0, 69.9, 69.8, 69.3, 68.8, 58.3, 58.2 (some of the signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/z 1191 {100%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₆₀H₆₄N₈NaO₁₃Zn [M + Na]⁺: 1191.3777, found 1191.3783.

2.2.4. Preparation of Phthalocyanine (5)

According to the above procedure, phthalonitrile 3 (0.26 g, 0.36 mmol) was treated with unsubstituted phthalonitrile (0.46 g, 3.59 mmol) and Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O (0.22 g, 1.00 mmol) to give phthalocyanine 5 as a blue solid (0.09 g, 21%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃ with a trace amount of pyridine-d₅): 𝛿 9.20–9.35 (m, 6 H, Pc-H_α), 9.05 (d, 𝐽 = 7.8 Hz, 1 H, Pc-H_α), 8.66 (s, 1 H, Pc-H_α), 8.06–8.12 (m, 6 H, Pc-H_β), 7.62 (d, 𝐽 = 8.4 Hz, 1 H, Pc-H_β), 6.99 (s, 2  H, ArH), 5.46 (s, 2 H, ArCH₂), 4.33 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 4.24 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 3.94 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.86 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 2 H, CH₂), 3.76–3.80 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.62–3.71 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.53–3.57 (m, 6 H, CH₂), 3.38 (s, 3 H, CH₃), 3.36 (s, 6 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (DMSO-d₆): 𝛿 159.9, 152.6, 152.4, 152.3, 152.2, 152.0, 151.7, 151.6, 139.5, 137.8, 137.5, 132.7, 130.7, 129.0, 128.9, 123.0, 122.2, 117.8, 107.2, 105.6, 72.1, 71.5, 70.3, 70.1, 70.0, 69.9, 69.4, 68.8, 58.3, 55.1 (some of the signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/z 1191 {95%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₆₀H₆₄N₈NaO₁₃Zn [M + Na]⁺: 1191.3777, found 1191.3771.

2.2.5. Preparation of 3,6-bis[3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-Trioxadecoxy)Benzoxy]Phthalonitrile (7)

A mixture of compound 6 (2.06 g, 3.36 mmol), 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone (0.27 g, 1.69 mmol), and K₂CO₃ (1.17 g, 8.47 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was stirred at 100^°C for 24 hours The volatiles were then removed under reduced pressure. The residue was mixed with water (50 mL) and the mixture was extracted with CHCl₃ (50 mL × 3). The combined organic extracts was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was then purified by silica-gel column chromatography using CHCl₃/MeOH (20:1 v/v) as eluent to give the product as a pale yellow transparent liquid (1.95 g, 88%).¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 𝛿 7.13 (s, 2 H, ArH), 6.64 (s, 4 H, ArH), 5.07 (s, 4 H, ArCH₂), 4.12–4.17 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.84 (t, 𝐽 = 4.8 Hz, 8 H, CH₂), 3.78 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.71–3.74 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.62–3.67 (m, 24 H, CH₂), 3.52–3.57 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.37 (two partially overlapping s, 18 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): 𝛿 154.7, 152.8, 138.2, 130.3, 119.4, 112.9, 106.4, 105.7, 72.2, 71.7, 71.6, 70.6, 70.5, 70.3, 69.5, 68.7, 58.8 (some of the CH₂ signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/z 1336 {100%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₆₄H₁₀₀N₂NaO₂₆ [M + Na]⁺: 1335.6457, found 1335.6462.

2.2.6. Preparation of Phthalocyanine (8)

According to the procedure described for 4, phthalonitrile 7 (0.50 g, 0.38 mmol) was treated with unsubstituted phthalonitrile (0.49 g, 3.82 mmol) and Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O (0.23 g, 1.05 mmol) to give phthalocyanine 8 as a blue-green oil (54 mg, 8%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 𝛿 9.43–9.47 (m, 4 H, Pc-H_α), 9.20 (d, 𝐽 = 7.5 Hz, 2 H, Pc-H_α), 8.03–8.15 (m, 6 H, Pc-H_β), 7.68 (s, 2 H, Pc-H_β), 7.37 (s, 4 H, ArH), 5.90 (s, 4 H, ArCH₂), 4.05 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.80 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 8 H, CH₂), 3.70 (t, 𝐽 = 5.1 Hz, 4 H, CH₂), 3.61–3.65 (m, 4 H, CH₂), 3.55–3.58 (m, 8 H, CH₂), 3.44–3.48 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.34–3.37 (m, 12 H, CH₂), 3.30 (s, 6 H, CH₃), 3.18–3.21 (m, 8 H, CH₂), 3.12 (s, 12 H, CH₂), 2.90 (s, 12 H, CH₃); ¹³C{¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): 153.6, 153.4, 153.3, 152.5, 152.2, 150.2, 138.6, 138.3, 138.1, 137.5, 133.6, 129.0, 128.8, 128.6, 128.5, 122.6, 122.3, 122.1, 116.5, 107.0, 72.3, 72.2, 71.8, 71.3, 70.5, 70.4, 69.9, 69.7, 69.2, 68.1, 58.8, 58.4 (some of the CH₂ signals are overlapped); MS (ESI): an isotopic cluster peaking at 𝑚/z 1784 {20%, [M + Na]⁺}; HRMS (ESI): 𝑚/𝑧 calcd for C₈₈H₁₁₂N₈NaO₂₆Zn [M + Na]⁺: 1783.6871, found 1783.6862.

2.3. In Vitro Studies

2.3.1. Cell Lines and Culture Conditions

The HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells (from ATCC, no. HTB-38) were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) (Invitrogen, cat no. 10313-021) supplemented with fetal calf serum (10%), penicillin-streptomycin (100 units mL^-1 and 100 mgmL^-1, resp.), L-glutamine (2 mM), and transferrin (10 mgmL^-1). The HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells (from ATCC, no. HB-8065) were maintained in RPMI medium 1640 (Invitrogen, cat no. 23400-021) supplemented with fetal calf serum (10%) and penicillin-streptomycin (100 units mL^-1 and 100 mgmL^-1, resp.). Approximately 3×10⁴ (for HT29) or 4×10⁴ (for HepG2) cells per well in these media were inoculated in 96-multiwell plates and incubated overnight at 37^°C in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere.

2.3.2. Photocytotoxicity Assay

Phthalocyanines 4, 5, and 8 were first dissolved in DMF to give 1.5 mM solutions, which were diluted to 80 𝜇M with an aqueous solution of Cremophor EL (Sigma, 0.47 g in 100 mL of water). The solutions were filtered with a 0.2 𝜇m filter, then diluted with the culture medium to appropriate concentrations (two-fold dilutions from 8 𝜇M). The cells, after being rinsed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), were incubated with 100 𝜇L of these phthalocyanine solutions for 2 hours at 37^°C under 5% CO₂. The cells were then rinsed again with PBS and refed with 100 𝜇L of the culture medium before being illuminated at ambient temperature. The light source consisted of a 300 W halogen lamp, a water tank for cooling, and a color glass filter (Newport) cut-on 610 nm. The fluence rate (𝜆>610 nm) was 40 mW cm^-2. An illumination of 20 minutes led to a total fluence of 48 J cm^-2.

Cell viability was determined by means of the colorimetric MTT assay [12]. After illumination, the cells were incubated at 37^°C under 5% CO₂ overnight. An MTT (Sigma) solution in PBS (3 mgmL^-1, 50 𝜇L) was added to each well followed by incubation for 2 hours under the same environment. A solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, Sigma) (10% by weight, 50 𝜇L) was then added to each well. The plate was incubated in an oven at 60^°C for 30 minutes, then 80 𝜇L of iso-propanol was added to each well. The plate was agitated on a Bio-Rad microplate reader at ambient temperature for 10 sec before the absorbance at 540 nm at each well was taken. The average absorbance of the blank wells, which did not contain the cells, was subtracted from the readings of the other wells. The cell viability was then determined by the equation: % Viability = [Σ(A_𝑖/A_control×100)]/𝑛, where A_i is the absorbance of the 𝑖th data (𝑖=1,2,…,n), A_control is the average absorbance of the control wells, in which the phthalocyanine was absent, and 𝑛 (= 4) is the number of the data points.

2.3.3. Fluorescence Microscopic Studies

For the detection of the intracellular fluorescence intensity of compounds 4, 5, and 8, approximately 1.2×10⁵ HT29 cells in the culture medium (2 mL) were seeded on a coverslip (diameter = 25 mm) and incubated overnight at 37^°C under 5% CO₂. The medium was removed, then the cells were incubated with 2 mL of an 8 𝜇M phthalocyanine dilution in the medium for 2 h under the same conditions. The cells were then rinsed with PBS and viewed with an Olympus IX 70 inverted microscope. The excitation light source (at 630 nm) was provided by a multiwavelength illuminator (Polychrome IV, TILL Photonics). The emitted fluorescence (>660 nm) was collected using a digital cooled CCD camera (Quantix, Photometrics). Images were digitalized and analyzed using MetaFluor V.4.6 (Universal Imaging).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Molecular Design and Chemical Synthesis

Zinc(II) phthalocyanines are good candidates for PDT application. In addition to their relatively high stability, the closed-shell zinc(II) center imparts desirable photophysical characteristics to the macrocycles [13]. Introduction of substituents at the peripheral positions can also tailor the properties of the macrocycles such as their solubility in biological media, aggregation behavior, and targeting properties. As a result, zinc(II) phthalocyanines have received considerable attention as efficient photosensitizers [5]. We describe herein three novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines (compounds 4, 5, and 8) which contain the bulky and hydrophilic 3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-trioxadecoxy)benzoxy moiety. Having one or two of these substituents, the π-π stacking tendency is reduced and the macrocycles become amphiphilic in nature. These properties should be advantageous for singlet oxygen generation and cellular uptake, by which the photodynamic activity can be enhanced. The relatively rare 1,4-disubstituted phthalocyanine 8 also has a longer Q-band maximum compared with the α- and β-monosubstituted counterparts, which is also an advantage that can increase the light penetration depth [14].

Scheme 1 shows the synthetic route used to prepare the monosubstituted phthalocyanines 4 and 5. Reaction of benzyl alcohol 1 with 3- or 4-nitrophthalonitrile in the presence of K₂CO₃ in DMF gave the substituted phthalonitrile 2 or 3, respectively. These compounds then underwent a mixed cyclization with an excess of the unsubstituted phthalonitrile (10 equiv.) in the presence of Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O and DBU in 𝑛-pentanol to afford the corresponding “3+1” products 4 and 5. These reactions also produced the unsubstituted ZnPc as a major side-product, which could be separated readily by filtration and chromatography as a result of its lower solubility and slower mobility in the silica gel column. During the chromatographic purification, a trace amount of some other blue products was also separated, but no attempt was made to characterize these minor side-products. Similarly, treatment of 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone with benzyl chloride 6 and K₂CO₃ afforded dinitrile 7, which was then cyclized with the unsubstituted phthalonitrile in the presence of Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O to give 8 (Scheme 2). All these zinc(II) phthalocyanines were soluble in common organic solvents and possessed high stability, which facilitated the purification by silica-gel column chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, followed by recrystallization.

Scheme 1 

Scheme 2 

3.2. Spectroscopic Characterization and Photophysical Properties

All the new compounds were fully characterized with various spectroscopic methods. The NMR signals for the phthalocyanine ring protons of 4, 5, and 8 are very distinct in CDCl₃ (with a trace amount of pyridine-d₅ for the former two complexes to reduce their aggregation), which provide a useful means for characterization. As shown in Figure 1, the ¹H NMR spectrum of the α-substituted phthalocyanine 4 shows a multiplet at 𝛿 9.41–9.46 (5 H) and two doublets at 𝛿 9.16 (1 H) and 9.13 (1 H) for the 7 phthalocyanine α protons. The 8 β protons resonate as a multiplet at 𝛿 8.07–8.15 (7 H) and a doublet at 𝛿 7.69 (1 H). For the β-analogue 5, a multiplet at 𝛿 9.20–9.35 (6 H), a doublet at 𝛿 9.05 (1 H), and a singlet at 𝛿 8.66 (1 H) are seen for the 8 phthalocyanine α protons, while the signals for the 7 β protons appear as a multiplet at 𝛿 8.06–8.12 (6 H) and a doublet at 𝛿 7.62 (1 H). Phthalocyanine 8 has a 𝐶_2v symmetry. The doublet at 𝛿 9.20 can be assigned to the two phthalocyanine α ring protons close to the benzoxy groups, while the multiplet at 𝛿 9.43–9.47 is due to the remaining four α protons. The singlet at 𝛿 7.68 can be readily assigned to the two β protons adjacent to the benzoxy groups, while the multiplet at 𝛿 8.03–8.15 is attributed to the remaining six β protons.

Figure 1 

The aromatic region of the 1H NMR spectra of 4, 5, and 8 in CDCl3; * indicates the trace amount of pyridine-d5 added for the former two complexes.

The ¹³C NMR data of these compounds were also in accord with the structures though some of the phthalocyanine ring carbon signals (for 4 and 5) and the chain CH₂ signals were overlapped. For compound 8, a total of 20 signals were observed in the aromatic region (𝛿 107.0–153.6) for the 16 phthalocyanine and 4 benzene ring carbons, which is consistent with the 𝐶_2v symmetry.

The ESI mass spectra of these phthalocyanines were also recorded. The molecular ion {[M + Na]⁺} isotopic cluster could be detected in all the cases. The isotopic distribution was in good agreement with the corresponding simulated pattern. The identity of these species was also confirmed by accurate mass measurements.

The electronic absorption and basic photophysical data of phthalocyanines 4, 5, and 8 were measured in DMF and are summarized in Table 1. All the three compounds gave very similar UV-Vis spectra, which are typical for nonaggregated phthalocyanines. The spectrum of compound 5, for example, showed the B-band at 344 nm, a vibronic band at 606 nm, and an intense and sharp Q-band at 672 nm, which strictly followed the Lambert Beer's law (Figure 2). Upon excitation at 610 nm, the compound is emitted at 677 nm with a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.19. Substitution at the α position (compound 4) slightly shifted the Q-band and fluorescence emission to the red by 4-5 nm. Introduction of an additional α-substituent (compound 8) further shifted the Q-band to 690 nm and the fluorescence emission to 696 nm.

Table 1 

Electronic absorption and photophysical data for 4, 5, and 8 in DMF.

Figure 2 

UV-Vis spectra of 5 in DMF. The inset plots the Q-band absorbance versus the concentration of 5.

The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) of these compounds were also determined using 1,3-diphenylisobe-nzofuran (DPBF) as the scavenger. The concentration of the quencher was monitored spectroscopically at 411 nm along with time, from which the values of Φ_Δ could be determined by the method described previously [11]. These data are also summarized in Table 1. Figure 3 compares the rates of decay of DPBF using these compounds and ZnPc as the photosensitizers. It can be seen that all these phthalocyanines are efficient singlet oxygen generators, particularly the 1,4-disubstituted analogue 8, of which the value of Φ_Δ (0.84) is significantly higher than that of ZnPc (0.56), which was used as the reference.

Figure 3 

Comparison of the rates of decay of DPBF in DMF, as monitored spectroscopically at 411 nm, using phthalocyanines 4, 5, and 8 as the photosensitizers and ZnPc as the reference.

3.3. In Vitro Photodynamic Activity

The in vitro photodynamic activity of photosensitizers 4, 5, and 8 in Cremophor EL emulsions was investigated against two different cell lines, namely, HT29 human colorectal carcinoma and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells. As shown in Figure 4, the three compounds are essentially noncytotoxic in the absence of light, but exhibit a very high photocytotoxicity. The corresponding IC₅₀ values are summarized in Table 2. It can be seen that all these compounds are highly potent and the effects on HT29 are greater than those on HepG2. The phthalocyanine 4 is particularly potent with the IC₅₀ values down to 0.02 𝜇M. About 1 𝜇M of the dye is sufficient to kill 90% of the cells.

Table 2 

Comparison of the IC₅₀ valuesa of phthalocyanines 4, 5, and 8 against HT29 and HepG2.

(a)

(b)

Figure 4 

Effects of 4 (triangles), 5 (stars), and 8 (squares) on (a) HT29 and (b) HepG2 in the absence (closed symbols) and presence (open symbols) of light (λ > 610 nm, 40 mW cm-2, 48 J cm-2). Data are expressed as mean value 𝜇 SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in quadruplicate.

It is worth noting that although phthalocyanine 4 exhibits a relatively lower singlet oxygen quantum yield than the other two analogues in DMF (Table 1), its photocytotoxicity is the highest among the three photosensitizers (Table 2). To account for the results, the absorption spectra of these compounds in the culture media were recorded. As shown in Figure 5, the Q-band for compound 4 in the DMEM medium (for HT29) remains very sharp and intense, while those for 5 and 8 are weaker and broadened. Very similar results were obtained in the RPMI medium (for HepG2). This is a strong indication that compound 4 is significantly less aggregated in these media, which should lead to a higher photosensitizing efficiency.

Figure 5 

Electronic absorption spectra of 4 (solid line), 5 (dashed line), and 8 (dotted line), formulated with Cremophor EL, in the DMEM culture medium (all at 8 M).

To further explain the photocytotoxicity results, fluorescence microscopic studies were also carried out to shed light on the cellular uptake of photosensitizers 4, 5, and 8. After incubation with these compounds (formulated with Cremophor EL) for 2 hours and upon excitation at 630 nm, the HT29 cells showed intracellular fluorescence throughout the cytoplasm as shown in Figure 6, indicating that there was a substantial uptake of the dyes. The qualitative fluorescence intensity follows the order 4 > 5 > 8, suggesting that the α-substituted phthalocyanine 4 also has the highest uptake among the three photosensitizers. This may also account for the highest photocytotoxicity of this compound.

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 6 

Fluorescence microscopic images of HT29 tumor cells after incubation with (a) 4, (b) 5, and (c) 8 at a concentration of 8 aM for 2 hours.

In conclusion, we have prepared and characterized three novel “3+1” zinc(II) phthalocyanines substituted with one or two 3,4,5-tris(3,6,9-trioxadecoxy)benzoxy group(s). These compounds exhibit a high photocytotoxicity against HT29 and HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ values down to 0.02 ±M. The mono-α-substituted phthalocyanine 4 is more potent than the other two analogues, which can be partly explained by its lower aggregation tendency in the culture media and higher cellular uptake as shown by absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy, respectively.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Elaine Chan for technical support in the MTT assay and Prof. Wing-Hung Ko for the use of the fluorescence microscope. This work was supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project no. 402103), and a strategic investments scheme administered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong.