The Preparation of Analogs of the Ether-Linked Dimer and Oligomer Components of Hematoporphyrin Derivative

Abstract

The preparation of ether-linked porphyrin dimers and oligomers which are analogues of those present in the anticancer drugs hematoporphyrin derivative and Photofrin II^R is described. These materials are prepared from the appropriately substituted porphyrins containing a 1-hydroxyethyl or a vinyl side chain through an intermediate 1-bromoethyl derivative. Ether-linked porphyrin dimers with ethyl, formyl , hydroxymethyl and 1-alkoxyethyl side chains were prepared, together with trimers and tetramers containing ethyl side chains. Some of the spectroscopic and biological properties of these compounds are discussed.