Functionalization of chlorins towards potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

Photophysical properties of chlorins predestine this type of hydroporphyrins for photodynamic therapy and other diagnostic/therapeutic applications. Artificial chlorins 3a and 4a derived from the red blood pigment heme form a platform for functionalizations with respect towards potentially biologically active photosensitizers and fluorescense markers. Chlorin estrogen derivatives 8a, 8b might be useful as sensitizers which bind selectively to (tumor) cell tissue containing estrogen receptors, e.g. breast cancer cells.