Syntheses, properties and cellular studies of metallo-isoporphyrins

Sandra C. Mwakwari, Louisiana State University
Haijun Wang, Louisiana State University
Timothy J. Jensen, Louisiana State University
M. Graça H. Vicente, Louisiana State University
Kevin M. Smith, Louisiana State University

Abstract

b-Bilene hydrochlorides are shown to be improved intermediates for the synthesis of metallo-isoporphyrins in enhanced yields (28% vs. 6%). Several new diamagnetic zinc(II) and a novel paramagnetic copper(II) isoporphyrin salts were also obtained using this approach. Metal-free isoporphyrins were also isolated. In vitro studies using human carcinoma HEp2 cells show that all metallo-isoporphyrins accumulate within cells and localize partially in the mitochondria. The zinc-isoporphyrins were found to be moderately phototoxic while the copper complex showed the lowest phototoxicity, maybe as a result of its paramagnetic nature. © 2011 World Scientific Publishing Company.