Design and synthesis of efficient heavy-atom-free photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer

Abstract

Novel thiocarbonyl derivatives (NIS and CRNS) with excellent ROS generation abilities are synthesized and studied as potential photosensitizers for one- and two-photon excited photodynamic therapy. In particular,NIS-MeandCRNSdisplay outstanding phototoxicity toward HeLa cells under two-photon excitation (800 nm) with negligible dark toxicity. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020.